Thursday, October 2, 2008

National Grid makes pitch for solar sites

By Mass High Tech Staff

Northeast electric and gas utility National Grid made an informal filing with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities where it laid out its intention to integrate solar energy into its service portfolio. The company made the filing under the state’s new Green Communities Act, which was approved in July.

According to company officials, National Grid’s proposal is the first in the Commonwealth filed under the new act, which allows utilities to develop and own up to 50 megawatts of solar-generating facilities by 2010.

Initiatives laid out in the proposal include National Grid developing, building and owning solar installations across the state, starting at four company-owned locations in eastern Massachusetts. In addition, the proposal lays out the utility’s commitment to “provide education and advice to customers who want to participate in existing solar initiatives as a supplement to National Grid’s energy efficiency programs.”

National Grid proposes to build solar energy sites at company facilities in Revere, Dorchester, Everett and Haverhill, at a total cost of approximately $38 million. According to a company statement, the cost could be offset by the amount of energy produced and available subsidies. If the plan is approved, the company anticipates the installations could cost customers in Massachusetts approximately 8 cents per month.

In Revere and Everett, the sites will have a capacity of 1.5 megawatts, while Dorchester and Haverhill will host 1 megawatt facilities.
 
Following engineering, licensing and permitting, and working with the host communities, National Grid expects to break ground on the new installations during the spring of 2009.