Western Massachusetts Electric Co. (WMECo) has completed its second large-scale solar energy facility, a 2.3 MW PV plant in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, Mass. The facility features 8,200 solar panels and joins WMECo's Silver Lake solar facility in Pittsfield.
The project brought nearly $12 million of new construction to the region and will contribute $400,000 of annual property tax revenue to the city of Springfield, according to WMECo.
Massachusetts has a goal to install 250 MW of solar generation by 2017. Under the Green Communities Act, each Massachusetts electric utility may own up to 50 MW of solar, subject to approval by the Department of Public Utilities, WMECo adds.