US solar developer, BlueWave has unveiled five agricultural solar projects in Massachusetts combining 19.8 MWdc of generation capacity and 29.7 MWh of storage with farming operations across the state.
BlueWave Expands Solar Portfolio with Dual-Use Projects
BlueWave, a prominent solar developer and owner in the Northeast U.S. celebrated the launch of five new projects across Massachusetts. These projects feature BlueWave's cutting-edge dual-use solar design and are part of the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program. These projects which are located in Palmer, Haverhill, Dighton and Douglas contribute 19.8 MWDC of generation capacity and 29.7 MWhr of storage to the grid which translates to a reduction of 13,000 tons of carbon emissions each year.
BlueWave launches five new solar projects in Massachusetts, contributing 19.8 MWDC of capacity and reducing carbon emissions by 13,000 tons annually.
"As a Boston-based company and certified B Corp, serving our surrounding communities is in our DNA and continues to be the driving force behind the solar development decisions we make. The amount of energy that is being generated by these projects is meaningful, ensuring greater access to community solar projects and farmers' continued success with their land," said Trevor Hardy, CEO and Co-Founder of BlueWave.
As Massachusetts aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, renewable energy sources like BlueWave's solar and solar-plus-storage projects will be crucial in helping both the state and local communities achieve this goal.
BlueWave's Dual-Use Solar Farms Support Rural Economies
BlueWave collaborated closely with farmers to introduce innovative dual-use practices that provide tangible benefits to landowners, farmers, and the local community. The company prioritized enabling farmers to fully utilize their land, designing each solar project to allow continuous farming beneath the solar arrays. These sites support a diverse range of crops and pollinator-friendly livestock grazing operations.
“Agrivoltaics provides a pathway for a clean, just energy transition, providing renewable energy in a way that uplifts agricultural operations, creates new opportunities for farmers, and enhances the resilience of rural communities. AFT is proud to be working with an elite few of energy developers, including BlueWave, who are investing in this solution, supporting farmers and landowners, and keeping Massachusetts’s precious farmland under production,” said Nathan L’Etoile, from American Farmland Trust (AFT).
Lowell General Hospital and BlueWave Expand Community Solar Access
Lowell General Hospital has partnered with BlueWave as an anchor customer for two project sites in Palmer and Haverhill. This collaboration allows low-income residents to benefit from clean energy by removing financial barriers to supporting local clean energy generation and reducing utility bills. As an anchor customer, Lowell General Hospital will receive 50% of the energy capacity from these projects through community solar bill credits. These credits will help offset the hospital's operational costs, support sustainability initiatives and ensure the solar farm's continued operation throughout its intended lifespan.
“Since 1891 when renewable hydropower was helping to grow Lowell into the advanced city that it is today Lowell General Hospital has served the Greater Lowell and surrounding communities with the mission of empowering people to live their best lives. As the anchor customer of a community solar project in partnership with BlueWave, we're able to support our community while lowering costs by utilizing the latest in state-of-the-art renewable solar energy technology, both on and off our campuses,” said Kevin Foley, Director of Plant Operations and Property at Lowell General Hospital.
By enrolling in a community solar subscription, residents can lower their electricity costs while supporting a local solar farm. As the solar farm generates electricity, utilities calculate the amount produced and convert it into a dollar value as a solar credit which is then applied to subscribers' monthly electricity bills reducing the amount they owe. The projects in this new portfolio are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024. Additionally, BlueWave is actively expanding its efforts with projects under development in both Massachusetts and neighbouring states. Currently, BlueWave has secured future solar project sites in 11 states with nearly 500 MWDC of solar capacity in active development.