Company plans largest solar energy array in New England

[jpak]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-31/company-plans-largest-solar-energy-array-in-ne.html

A Boston-based renewable energy company is pledging to open the region's biggest solar power array on a former landfill in Canton.

Officials at Southern Sky Renewable Energy said Monday that the 5.6 megawatt solar photovoltaic facility will be the largest of its kind in New England when completed.

The company said it's already received final approval from the Canton Board of Selectmen and is negotiating a distribution agreement with NStar.

Once that's completed it should take about six to nine months to build the facility. The company said the solar panels will have minimal impact on the environment and neighboring properties.

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[howaboutme]

1. Instead of such large scale solar arrays

that negatively impact the environment, require connection and supplement to the grid, and involve subsidized corporate profits-----why aren't we encouraging a distributed approach where individual businesses and homeowners install on site solar and use existing property footprint to mount the panels rather than destroying good real estate? It would also be positive from a national security standpoint where homes and businesses would be more self sufficient in times of large scale disasters.

[jpak]

2. Cuz giving tax breaks to billionaires trumps solar tax credits to homeowners

get with the plan.

and this one is being built at a landfill...

[howaboutme]

3. You are 100% correct

It is no longer about doing what makes the most sense for the USA. But neither was free trade. Politicians and government follow the money like roaches follow food and they scatter when the light comes on. Ever since organized labor lost political power and influence with the Dems it now makes little difference on Party. They have two priorities ..... its about supporting Wall St (Ds), or supporting the US Chamber of Commerce(Rs). That's the way I see our government with a few exceptions.

[kristopher]

4. Not really...

Large projects have a distinct price advantage as economy of scale results in very substantial savings on the installation costs.

Promoting the large projects attracts investment that lowers the cost/unit to the point where it works at the next niche level - commercial buildings.

That, in turn, continues the expansion of manufacturing and will eventually lead to affordable rooftop solar.

Equally important is the regulatory framework that applies to the different markets. Rooftop solar is still operating at a disadvantage in many respects. A stronger presence in the market and a more evolved and intelligent grid will in the long run boost the market as much as or more than subsidies.