22MW of PV Deployed Mostly on Capped Landfills on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard
September 30, 2014 – Today the Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC), the Town of Dennis, Clean Focus and American Capital Energy dedicated the largest solar development in New England, Cape & Vineyard Solar One—a 22MW portfolio of solar arrays located on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Cape and Vineyard Solar One includes CVEC Round 1 PV plus an additional array in the Town of Dennis. Combined, the energy generated from this solar development will supply 45% of Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard municipal electrical load.
“This milestone solar development is helping to continue to place Massachusetts at the forefront of solar adoption and enabling us to reach our aggressive goal of 1,600 MW of solar installations by 2020,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. “Extending our solar reach will build on our success by creating jobs and economic opportunity in an industry that will last for generations to come.”
“In our effort to reduce greenhouse gases, EPA has worked to encourage the installation of renewable energy sources, such as solar farms, on contaminated sites and landfills. These locations can be ideal sites for clean energy uses that reduce greenhouse gases and provide clean, renewable energy for the local community. Installing these solar arrays will also help the Commonwealth meet its Clean Power targets in the future. I am proud that New England is a leader in solar deployment,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s New England office.
“CVEC and its member municipalities are thrilled with the installation of these new solar power projects, made possible through the hard work, collaboration, and dedication of CVEC and its member municipalities. Our outstanding partners, Clean Focus and American Capital Energy, have demonstrated significant expertise and skill in deploying these valuable solar assets,” said John Checklick, president of CVEC.
“We are very proud that with Cape & Vineyard Solar One, Clean Focus is now the largest owner / operator of solar on landfills in the U.S.,” said Stanley Chin, president and CEO of Clean Focus. “It was terrific partnering with this exceptional team of professionals to bring clean, reliable and renewable solar electricity to Massachusetts—contributing to the health and vibrancy of this region.” Clean Focus provided construction and permanent financing, and owns and operates Cape & Vineyard Solar One.
“With this project, American Capital Energy has been able to flex its experience in developing, designing, and constructing solar arrays on landfills and other brownfield sites; it’s wonderful to produce clean energy at locations that would otherwise remain unused,” said Tom Hunton, president & CEO of American Capital Energy (ACE). ACE is a Massachusetts company that was selected as the project developer and builder through a competitive bidding process; local labor was hired for construction.
These projects will greatly reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions—the equivalent of removing more than 2,700 passenger vehicles from the road. Of the nine solar arrays, seven are sited on capped landfills in the towns of Barnstable, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, and Tisbury. Two solar arrays are sited on other land in the town of Edgartown.
About Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative
The Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CVEC) is an electric cooperative comprised of 18 towns on the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard plus Barnstable County, Duke’s County and the Cape Light Compact. CVEC was formed out of a strategic planning process commissioned and undertaken by the Cape Light Compact (CLC) in 2007. CVEC’s objectives include developing and/or owning renewable electric generation facilities and procuring or selling long-term electric supply or other energy-related goods and services at competitive prices to member communities and consumers within member communities. (www.cvecinc.org)
About American Capital Energy
American Capital Energy, Inc. (ACE) is the solar developer and builder for the CVEC projects. American Capital Energy is an award winning national solar engineering, procurement and construction contractor and solar developer. Specializing in large complex roof and ground mounted systems, ACE designs, finances, installs and implements solar systems for commercial, municipal, and utility clients. Founded in 2005, the company has developed more than 100 MWs of large-scale PV projects in nine states, including over 35 MW of PV projects on landfills and brownfields. ACE is committed to changing the way electricity is made, and looks forward to helping CVEC to bring Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard closer to sustainability. (www.americancapitalenergy.com)
About Clean Focus
Clean Focus Corporation develops, finances, owns, and operates large commercial, small utility, and municipal solar power installations across the United States and selectively throughout the Americas. Clean Focus fosters strategic partnerships with early stage developers and EPCs to achieve project-specific goals. Clean Focus provides flexible financing (long-term PPA’s or leases) to accommodate a wide range of sites and offtakers and to satisfy complex stakeholder relationships. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Silicon Valley, Clean Focus delivers reliable, speedy, highly competitive financing solutions for solar power projects. (www.cleanfocus.us)