Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) announced that it is working with the Massachusetts State Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to design, construct, finance, own, and operate solar power systems at five state facilities.
Under 20-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Ameresco, the state facilities will receive solar-generated electricity at a discount to their current electricity bills, thereby cutting their energy budgets. In part, the discounted prices were made possible by the Massachusetts Solar Stimulus Program (MaSS), which used ARRA stimulus funds to reduce the capital cost of the projects.
The five solar power systems will generate 560 kW of electricity capacity and 700,000 kWh of annual electric energy. The solar systems will be installed on the rooftops of two Massport Logan Airport terminals, Bridgewater State University, Worcester State University and the Canton Housing Authority. All the solar installations will be built with advanced Internet-enabled measurement and monitoring systems.
To further boost Massachusetts employment, the inverters--which convert the solar generated direct current electricity to alternating current electricity--will be made by Solectria in Lawrence, MA. All other major components, including the Sharp solar panels are made in the U.S.A.
Ameresco is an independent provider of comprehensive energy efficiency solutions for facilities throughout North America.
Earlier this week, the company announced the opening of an innovative waste-water treatment plant with the San Antonio Water System that will be the first in the U.S. to capture and sell biogas.
