Agilitas
Energy, a leading energy developer, recently commenced construction of
its latest utility-scale solar photovoltaic community-solar project
under the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program in the
Town of Auburn, Massachusetts.
PVTIME - Agilitas Energy, a leading energy developer headquartered in Wakefield MA with a robust portfolio across Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire, recently commenced construction of its latest utility-scale solar photovoltaic project under the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program in the Town of Auburn, Massachusetts.
Agilitas acquired this construction-ready
solar PV project in March this year, which is situated on a 124.7-acre
site in Auburn MA and will generate enough electricity to power more
than 1,200 Massachusetts homes per year. “Agilitas has a win-win
opportunity to help Massachusetts meet its renewable energy goals while
helping local businesses reduce their energy costs. And these projects
fit perfectly with Agilitas’ core competencies and mission,” says
Barrett Bilotta, President of Agilitas Energy.
The SMART Program is the latest long-term
sustainable solar incentive program that promotes cost-effective solar
development in Massachusetts, sponsored by the three investor-owned
utility companies in the Commonwealth: Eversource, National Grid and
Unitil. With SMART, the Massachusetts energy portfolio will add 3,200 MW
in solar capacity, bringing the total solar capacity to meet 13% of the
state’s annual electricity needs.
The Agilitas Auburn project will be classed as
Community Solar, giving local energy consumers the benefit of
lower-cost electricity. A local community hospital is the largest among
several hundred organizations to sign up long-term Power Purchase
agreements which will guarantee them energy savings for the next two
decades. Ampion Energy will be supporting the subscribers of this
Community Solar program, ensuring that they enjoy the benefits of
renewable energy and guaranteed savings over the contract period.
“Community Solar is one the easiest ways to save money on electricity
and comes with the added benefit of supporting the transition to clean
energy.” said Nate Owen, CEO of Ampion. “Customers like Sturdy Memorial
Hospital recognize that this is a choice that can impact their bottom
line and we're thrilled to support access to the many regional
businesses and local residents who qualify for this Massachusetts state
program.”
After closing the acquisition transaction, Agilitas quickly secured its financing with 1st Source Bank who will provide construction loan, tax equity and permanent financing for the Project. Agilitas’ experienced in-house EPC team will oversee the full engineering, procurement and construction phases of the project, to optimize the design and to build with the highest institutional standards. The project is expected to be mechanically complete in Q4 2020 and to start commercial operations in Q2 next year. “We’re pleased to partner with Agilitas Energy on this project, and to finance another solar energy facility for the communities of Massachusetts,” states Russell Cramer, VP, Solar Financing. “At 1st Source Bank, we believe in helping our clients realize their dreams. If that dream is a sustainable energy source to better their communities, then we are proud to provide the financing to make it a reality.”
In addition to this Auburn project, Agilitas
is actively developing new SMART projects, some of which will also
include battery energy storage systems to provide peak shaving
capabilities for the power grid, and potentially deploy community solar
arrangements as well, to bring additional cost benefits to the local
township, businesses, and residents.
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