A new brownfield solar project in Woburn, Massachusetts, is set to make a substantial impact on the city of Somerville by offsetting electricity costs and advancing climate action goals. Standard Solar has completed a 4 MW solar array at the Woburn EPA Superfund site.
Standard Solar acquired the project from developer partner ECA Solar, a leader in commercial-scale solar development based in Massachusetts. The ground-mount project is divided into two arrays totaling 4 MW. The 3.35 MW Phase I is complete, and the 866 kW Phase II is expected to be finished by the end of the year. Combined, these arrays are projected to yield approximately 5,200 MWh of energy on an annual basis.
“Standard Solar is honored to be a part of this transformative journey and is committed to bringing clean and sustainable energy to the heart of Massachusetts,” said Harry Benson, director of business development, Standard Solar. “We believe that the Industri-Plex project is a testament to the power of innovation, partnership and dedication to a greener future.”
In 2022, the EPA approved a reuse work plan for the solar generating facility, which is situated on the east-central and east side of the Woburn Superfund site. This groundbreaking project is the result of a partnership between Standard Solar and ECA Solar.
“Standard Solar greatly appreciates and acknowledges the unwavering commitment of our partner, ECA Solar, in driving forward this impactful project,” Benson added. “Together, we are making a difference.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on Oct. 4 in conjunction with ECA Solar, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Woburn Superfund site. This event, which included speakers Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne; David Cash, Regional Administrator – EPA; Bonnie Heiple, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP); and special guest Jan Schlichtmann, Environmental and Civil Justice Attorney, signifies the strength of the community and the potential for positive change, even in the face of adversity. The project partners are proud to have reached this milestone, culminating in years of hard work by many individuals and companies.
This is Standard Solar’s second project completed with ECA Solar and its sixth project in Massachusetts.
“ECA values its partnership with Standard Solar in completing this, and other, solar projects,” said Todd Fryatt, founder and CEO of ECA Solar. “We’re proud of the work we have accomplished at Industri-plex together and are excited to see this project completed, bringing forward a bright future for this site and this community.”
The Industri-Plex, a 245-acre plot of land, occupies a distinctive position in the industrial history of New England. Originating as a modest settlement in the 1600s and evolving into an industrial juggernaut during the 1800s, this location confronted numerous challenges. By the 1980s, it had garnered the dubious distinction of being ranked as the fifth-most polluted site in the nation. However, it is re-emerging as a beacon of hope for positive revitalization.
“This solar farm is the green economy in action, creating green jobs and providing solar credits to cover more than one-third of the electricity used by Somerville’s municipal buildings and functions,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “For our community, this is more than just a cost savings, it’s an important step forward in our goal to be carbon net negative by 2050.”
— Solar Builder magazine
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