Stimulus cash boosts solar plans
The state plans to use $20 million in federal stimulus money to build about 16 megawatts worth of solar installations in Massachusetts. The projects, which officials are expected to detail today, will include locations atop the terminals at Logan International Airport, and at nine state water facilities, two Somerville housing projects, and a residence hall at Westfield State College.
It’s “phase one of the ‘solar big bang,’ ’’ said Ian Bowles, secretary of the state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, joking. His office has been working for several months to identify sites for solar panels across Massachusetts.
One of those sites is at Logan, where solar installations would be built atop each of the airport’s four commercial terminals - an estimated 2.75 megawatts in all.
The state is seeking bids for all the projects, Bowles said, and hopes to start construction this fall. Some of the solar installations could be completed in about six months.
“With this infusion of federal funds, Governor Patrick is building the clean energy economy of the future for the Commonwealth,’’ he said.
Renewable energy initiatives - especially those that are solar-related - have been a backbone of the governor’s push to make Massachusetts a “green’’ energy leader. When he took office there were 3.5 megawatts of solar power generating capacity in the state. Patrick set a goal to have 250 megawatts of solar capacity by 2017.
Today, the state has roughly 11 megawatts of solar capacity installed, or about 4.4 percent of Patrick’s goal, and another six or seven megawatts in the pipeline. Adding 16 megawatts through federal stimulus money would put the state at over 13 percent of the goal.
Earlier this year, Bowles’ office projected stimulus funds could be used to build about 30 megawatts worth of solar projects, including installations atop the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. At nearly 1.2 million square feet, the rooftop is about three acres larger than the Boston Public Garden.
“We’re still looking at the Boston convention center,’’ Bowles said.
At least one environmentalist lauded such a push, saying state leadership would make it easier for solar panels to become a mainstream energy source.
“The amazing thing when you think about it is that we don’t [already] have solar on every large flat roof,’’ said Seth Kaplan, an environmental advocate with the Conservation Law Foundation. “Any large flat roof without solar on it is a missed opportunity.’’
Still, Kaplan added, the state should be careful to make sure money is being allocated to solar projects that make the most sense - fiscally and in terms of energy savings.
“It’s a little silly to put solar atop a building that is highly inefficient,’’ he said. “The cheapest first resource we should turn to is energy efficiency.’’
Erin Ailworth can be reached at eailworth@globe.com. 