Clean Energy Recipe: 4.4-MW Community Solar Paired with 1.4-MW Battery Storage in Sandwich
PureSky Energy has started commercial operations for a 4.4-MW community solar farm coupled with battery storage in Sandwich, Massachusetts.
The Cotuit solar project is paired with 1.4-MW direct-current battery storage capacity. The site is PureSky’s 11th project in Massachusetts and 35th across the U.S.
Cotuit contains 11,172 solar panel units capable of 5.72 million kWh of generation annually, according to the company. PureSky Energy predicts that the Sandwich municipality customer could reduce carbon emissions by 8.8 million pounds of CO2 as well as save nearly $2.3 million in energy costs over 20 years.
The solar farm supports the region by supplying lower cost energy and revenue to the municipality. PureSky donated the land to the local municipality, Sandwich and is leasing it from them, providing annual income.
As the single offtaker of the Cotuit community solar farm, a second neighboring municipality has also agreed to purchase community solar credits at a reduced rate, saving on the cost of electricity for the lifetime of the solar farm.
"Partnerships with municipalities are fundamental to advancing the renewable energy transition and increasing the resilience of the grid through battery energy storage solutions," said Nicholas Topping, Vice President of Community Solar at PureSky Energy. "The town demonstrated exceptional leadership in quickly recognizing the value of community solar as an innovative way to support local renewable energy development and bring the benefits of solar to their residents."
Community solar is considered by many to offer a more accessible and affordable entry point for customers wanting to buy renewable energy. The subscriptions are less expensive than a residential rooftop solar unit, while also a more direct generation connection with utility-scale solar farms.
The Massachusetts Legislature established a community solar program in 2013. Customers can subscribe to a community solar farm and receive a discount on electricity.
More than 200 community solar farms are located in Massachusetts, according to the national research and advocacy group Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
From NA+ to Volanic Geothermal and Nuclear Fusion
Check out our EnergyTech E-Book on Innovations to Net Zero
