Berlin-based Northeast Utilities’ Western Massachusetts Electric unit has gotten that state’s approval to build enough solar-powered generating capacity to power 6,000 homes.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved Western Mass Electric (WMECo.) to build six megawatts of solar facilities as a first step toward the state’s goal of 250 megawatts of installed solar by 2017.
Under Massachusetts’ Green Communities Act, WMECo. would be allowed to own up to 50 megawatts of solar capacity.
“This decision gives us the framework to move forward and we’re very excited about the opportunity to begin development of lowest cost large scale solar energy for our electric customers and the Commonwealth,” said Peter J. Clarke, WMECo. president and chief operating officer.
WMECo. plans to build on landfill, brownfield, city-owned and utility-owned sites in the Springfield and Pittsfield areas. The utility will file papers in September for permission to develop the first 3 megawatts of facilities and complete site and vendor selections in the fourth quarter.
Construction of the first project is expected to be completed in 2010.
WMECo. serves approximately 200,000 customers in western Massachusetts.
