Broadway Renewable Strategies completes 568.7 kW solar project at Drydock Center

Broadway Renewable Strategies, a NECA Boston Chapter/IBEW, Local 103 signatory electrical contractor, hosted a ceremony with the city and Cargo Ventures/Millennium Partners to commemorate one of the city’s largest rooftop solar PV projects – at the Drydock Center. The 568.7 kilowatts (kW) system was installed on the city’s largest building by volume, located at 21, 23 and 25 Drydock Ave. The solar event was held in one of the city’s many outdoor spaces and featured commentary from mayor Thomas Menino, BRA director Peter Meade, and Broadway Renewable Strategies president Jonathan Wienslaw on the success of the project, the future of renewable energy in Boston, and the leadership role of the organizations. Broadway’s field crew of 10 IBEW, Local 103 electricians provided installation of the solar farm. The project is comprised of 2,068 Suntech 275 Watt PV modules mounted to a Panelclaw Ballasted Module Mounting System as well as five Satcon 100 kW Inverters and one 50 kW inverter. “I encourage everyone to join the clean energy revolution in Boston,” said mayor Menino. “Solar power is now more affordable than ever in the city. It’s being installed on residences, businesses, and municipal buildings at an increasing rate, and we are on the way to meeting our 2015 goal of 25 megawatts of solar energy in Boston.” Broadway Renewable, Cargo Venture/Millennium, BRA and Satcon collaborated on the 568.7 kW project as part of mayor Menino’s Innovation District Solar Challenge. The project adds to the mayor’s Solar Boston Initiative, which aims to increase solar energy system capacity in Boston to 25 megawatts by 2015. “This project would not have been possible without the city of Boston and mayor Menino’s proven commitment and dedication to pursuing energy-saving initiatives, which is helping to create jobs and strengthen the economy by hiring local firms,” said Jonathan Wienslaw, president, Broadway Renewable. The project, which was installed under a power purchase agreement (PPA) between Broadway Renewable Strategies and Cargo Ventures, received the Commonwealth Solar Stimulus Award in the amount of $471,780 from the Mass. Clean Energy Center, with no upfront capital investment required. Broadway Renewable was selected as the project developer, Broadway Electrical as the contractor, and Satcon was selected by Broadway to provide the system’s inverters. The solar farm will produce enough power annually to accommodate 85% of the common building loads at the Drydock Center. The environmental benefit of the solar project is the annual equivalent of reducing CO2 emissions by 513 tons and oil consumption by 1082 barrels.