Joe Mitchell, Westfield’s advancement officer, looks over the progress being made on the community solar project on Southampton Road.
WESTFIELD-As more residents seek environmentally friendly energy source alternatives, work on a 26.45 acre site at the intersection of Southampton Road and Summit Lock Road continues at a fast pace with plans to install an 18-acre field of solar panels.
Just over a month ago, on May 14, GSPP Terawatt Westfield Land, LLC, with offices in Stamford, Conn., purchased the land, according to records in the Westfield Assessors office. The Westfield Planning Board had granted site plan approval to the project on Nov. 21, 2017.
In an email statement, Mia Behm, director of marketing for Green Street Power Partners (GSPP), confirmed that the project will be for “community solar in Westfield,” but declined further comment until the program is close to opening.
Craig Dwyer, chief executive officer, Terawatt, noted in an email statement, “We are excited to partner with GSPP to bring this community solar project to Westfield. Projects like these are giving more and more residents access to purchasing clean energy, and it’s a trend we expect to see continue in the coming years.”
Westfield Gas & Electric will “solely be purchasing the power,” said Tony Contrino, energy supply manager, who has been the point person during the negotiation process. “The capacity is 4 megawatts which should generate power to 750 residential customers.”
Contrino noted that the G&E has signed a 20-year power binding purchase agreement and this is the fourth project of its kind in the city that is in line with a commitment to find other sources of renewable energy.
According to the Westfield G&E’s website, solar (photovoltaic/PV) electricity is produced when sunlight reacts directly with semiconductor materials contained within solar panels to produce electricity. Several panels may be wired together to provide greater quantities of electric power and comprise a solar array. Solar electricity can be used to supplement the electric power consumed in one’s home.
Currently, solar sites generating renewable energy for city residents includes the Twiss Street landfill on 7.5 acres generating 2 megawatts; the “Cowles Pit” solar farm at 219 Russellville Road on 12 acres that is producing 2.6 megawatts, and on Western Avenue, a solar farm is generating 2.4 megawatts on 9.5 acres, according to Joe Mitchell, Westfield’s advancement officer.
“The city looks forward to projects like this,” said Mitchell, adding “it greens up our energy supply and in this day and age many people want to be as environmentally friendly as possible.”
Ward 1 councilor Mary Ann Babinski said she had been aware of the new project for several months and is looking forward to its completion.
“It’s a good option for residents who are interested in renewable energy,” said Babinski, adding she is encouraging the company to post signage about the project since she has been asked questions from her constituents about the lot being cleared.
At press time, Contrino said he was aware the company is targeting the end of August for completing the project and would like to be online by the beginning of September.
