A new brownfield solar project in Woburn, Massachusetts, is set to make an impact on the city of Somerville by offsetting its electricity costs and advancing its climate action goals. Standard Solar completed a 4-MW solar array at the Woburn EPA Superfund site near Somerville.
Credit: Standard Solar
Standard Solar acquired the project from developer partner ECA Solar, a commercial-scale solar developer based in Massachusetts. The ground-mount project is divided into two arrays totaling 4 MW. The 3.35-MW first phase is complete, and the remaining .866 MW in Phase II is expected to be finished by the end of the year.
“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 Environmental Protection Agency approved a Reuse Work Plan for the 4-MW solar generating facility, which is situated on the 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 said. “Together, we are making a difference.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on October 4 in conjunction with ECA Solar, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Woburn Superfund site.
“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 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. 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,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. “I can’t thank Standard Solar and ECA Solar enough for the good work done here.”
This is Standard Solar’s second project completed with ECA Solar and its sixth project in Massachusetts.
News item from Standard Solar
I missed the connection between the new solar array in Woburn, and what it brings to Somerville’s energy grid. Please clarify!