Connecticut

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund will be modifying the incentive structure for its Small Photovoltaic Program, effective June 20, 2006, to an approach that emphasizes performance rather than installed capacity. Details on the changes can be found at Connecticut Clean Energy Fund

Massachusetts

Funds Available for Large and Small Projects

Large On-Site Renewables Initiative:

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) is seeking applications for renewables projects in excess of 10kW for its Large On-Site Renewables Initiative (LORI). MTC has two funding rounds each year for projects. Applications are due August 17, 2006 for funding in support of project feasibility analyses, design, and construction. The deadline for submitting written questions to MTC regarding the program is July 14, 2006. Decisions on submitted applications are expected to occur in November 2006.

Information and details available at MTC Large Renewables

Small Renewables Initiative:

Applications for support under the Small Renewables Initiative (SRI) are depleting the last of the original $5 million approved by the MTC Board in late 2004. An additional $1 million in interim funding is being sought to bridge the gap between the initial program and a new program (“SRI2”) that has been forecast to begin early in the fall of 2006. According to MTC, approved applications through May 2006, primarily for solar and wind projects, number 280 and total $3.734 million. Of these 219 are for PV ($2.559 million).

INPUT REQUESTED!! MTC is seeking input from installers and others regarding the current SRI program and changes or enhancements that could be included in SRI2. Send them to abe@masstech.com .

EverQ GmbH, a joint venture of three global leaders in the solar power industry, Evergreen Solar, Inc. (United States), Q-Cells AG (Germany), and Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (Norway), has opened its first production facility in Thalheim, Germany. The strategic venture brings together three companies with significant synergies. Evergreen Solar develops, manufactures and markets solar power products using its proprietary String Ribbon technology. Q-Cells is the world's largest independent manufacturer of crystalline silicon solar cells. Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) is the world's largest manufacturer of solar-grade silicon and multicrystalline wafers.

“Vision, cooperation and speed – these are the key factors that moved the new Thalheim plant from idea to reality,” said Rick Feldt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen Solar and Chairman of EverQ. “Despite differences in culture, language and location, the three partners share a singular vision for EverQ. This common drive to build the best organization possible has bred truly remarkable trust and cooperation – as evidenced by the speed with which this facility was planned and built.”

Constellation NewEnergy has signed a long-term contract with the City of Brockton, MA in which the company will purchase all of the output from the city's new solar energy power plant. According to Constellation, the agreement demonstrates the growing demand for alternative energy sources and the heightened awareness around environmentally responsible power.

Brockton's solar project will be the first utility scale solar photovoltaic system in New England. Designed to produce 425 kilowatts of electricity, the Brightfield site will generate enough energy per year to power City Hall and a portion of the police station's load. Construction of the Brockton project began on May 1, 2006. Using electricity generated by Brockton's Brightfield will avoid the emission of about 595,300 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

"This effort demonstrates Brockton's desire to create reliable alternative energy sources at a time when many policymakers recognize the need for a diverse mix of energy resources," said Bruce McLeish, senior director of wholesale origination at Constellation NewEnergy. "The agreement to purchase all of the power and RECs from the Brightfield site in Brockton shows that solar power is a viable energy source with an increased demand from our New England consumers."

A new affordable housing project to be built in conjunction with the redevelopment of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Ashmont Peabody Square Transit Center in Dorchester will include a 50.4kW PV system. The Ashmont TOD is a mixed-use development including 116 new housing units, including 74 affordable rental units, 42 market-rate for-sale condominiums, and 9,942 sq ft of retail space. The project also includes below-grade parking and will be LEED certifiable. As proposed, the PV system is estimated to produce 54,746 kWh annually, or less than 10% of the buildings load. The energy produced by the system will feed into the common area load of the tenant portion of the development. The project will seek to maximize local utility (NStar) rebates, and will receive an energy efficiency certification equivalent to Energy Star for a four-or-more story multifamily building.
Installation contractor: KW Management, Nashua, NH

LORI Construction Grant Recipients

Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Dorchester, MA

Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses are planning to install a sunshade photovoltaic array and rooftop photovoltaic array with a total capacity of 70.2 kW on the planned Bowdoin Geneva Community Center. The Community Center is a 40,000 square foot new building to be built in Dorchester that is planned to meet the LEED Silver rating standards. This project is located in an economic target area and will utilize Massachusetts manufactured products as part of the effort to benefit some 7,000 children under the age of 17 in the Bowdoin Geneva area.

Extrusion Technology, Inc., Randolph, MA

Extrusion Tech. is one of a handful of specialized U.S. manufacturers of precise extruded aluminum parts. Extrusion Tech. completed renovation of the 60,000 square foot facility in 1998, and the flat roof rubber membrane presents a perfect opportunity for a flat roof mounted photovoltaic system. Extrusion plans to install 59 kW of photovoltaic panels manufactured in Massachusetts to reduce total electric consumption as well as peak demand for the industrial facility in Randolph and plans to have the project installed and commissioned in 2006.

Ferry Street, Easthampton, MA

The existing buildings located on Ferry Street in Easthampton are the previous facility for Hampton Mills, a textile manufacturer from the mid 1800’s until the 1960’s. As part of the site redevelopment plan, the new Ferry Street project will incorporate a mix of commercial and residential uses for the complex. This phase of the project will be for the construction of a 45 kW photovoltaic system in 2006 that will utilize a series of clerestories. Ferry Street expects that success with this project will also lead to a future hydroelectricity project.

Northcoast Seafoods, Boston, MA

Northcoast Seafood is a seafood distribution and resale company in downtown Boston. The installation of 117.6 kW of photovoltaic panels is planned and will be designed to maximize summer production levels. As a seafood company, utilizing peak summer conditions will be of great benefit to Northcoast. The array will consist of 672 panels manufactured in Massachusetts, and will be in Boston, a state economic target area. The 100,000 square foot, 2 story building has a south facing exposure and the PV panels will be spread over a few different locations to avoid building obstructions.

Riverwalk Partners, Lawrence, MA

Riverwalk properties is a commercial real estate owner that is dedicated to the concept of self sufficiency. The project will be a 121 kW photovoltaic array on a historic mill building in Lawrence. The system will consist of Massachusetts manufactured parts and will be located in an economic target area. The system may potentially be used to power a series of building, as the complex is large and has a great deal of roof space. A PV system is already in operation on site, as installed by Solectria Renewables, a manufacturer of solar inverters, a component that is vital to photovoltaic arrays.

LORI Grant information

SunPower Corporation designs, manufactures and sells high efficiency solar cells and modules for residential, commercial and remote power applications. Steve Rubin is their regional sales manager.