Lawrence gets first solar installation

By Erin Ailworth, Globe Staff

Lawrence officials on Wednesday plan to celebrate the completion of the city’s first solar power installation, which sits atop Everett Mills in the downtown area.

The 560-kilowatt rooftop project was built by the New York-based Soltas Energy for more than $2 million. According to company spokeswoman Teresa Zhao, the projects 2,000 solar panels are expected to generate enough energy to provide roughly half of the power needs at Everett Mills, a 525,000-square-foot commercial complex.

The installation is one of three that Soltas is currently building in Lawrence, Zhao said. When the other two are complete, there will be nearly 2 megawatts of solar generating capacity in Lawrence.

“We want to power the whole city with solar,” Zhao said, adding that Soltas is hoping to add to more local customers to its roster.

In a statement provided by Soltas, Congresswoman Nikki Tsongas lauded the project.

“Lawrence, and the Everett Mills, played major roles in the Industrial Revolution by harnessing the power of the Merrimack River. Now they are part of a clean energy revolution that will bring jobs and industry back to the city.”