MASS. UTILITY TO BUILD 6 MW OF SUN ON LANDFILLS

Western Mass. Electric gets OK for solar plan
Sean Sposito, August 13, 2009 (Boston Globe)

"The state has approved a utility company’s proposal to build solar energy facilities in Western Massachusetts under year-old state regulations designed to promote renewable energy and conservation.

"Western Massachusetts Electric Co...plans to construct enough photovoltaic solar cells to produce 6 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 6,000 homes, by 2012. The first of the outdoor devices [planned as low-mounted arrays on landfills] will be built by 2010…[T]he utility will spend the remainder of this year finding suitable sites for the rows of solar panels…"

An ideal use for otherwise unuseable land. (click to enlarge)

"The Green Communities Act, which was signed last year by Governor Deval Patrick, gives utility companies the ability to own and operate solar installations generating up to 50 megawatts. Western Mass. Electric now serves roughly 210,000 customers in 59 communities…[C]onsumers won’t notice a big difference in their electric bills - the average customer should be charged only about 60 cents extra a month.

"Western Mass. Electric was the first of three utilities that filed proposals for solar installations with the Department of Public Utilities…[The goal is to increase volume and make solar energy less costly]…"