Mayor Brian Sullivan and Tony Contrino of Westfield Gas and Electric prepare to cut the ribbon with representatives of Terawatt, Green Street Power Partners, and Swinerton Renewable Energy. (Photo by Peter Currier)
WESTFIELD- A ribbon cutting ceremony was held by Green Street Power Partners Friday morning for the newly constructed 17-acre solar power array at 1040 Southampton road.
The new array, which is made up of 13,728 individual solar panels, will generate an estimated 4.8 megawatts of power and over five million kilowatt hours annually.
“It’s a lot of hard work to go from concept to completion,” said Tony Contrino, General Manager at Westfield Gas and Electric, “we are finally at the finish line.”
A birds eye view of the solar array. This photo was taken by a camera mounted on a drone shortly after the ceremony. (Photo submitted by Craig Dwyer)
The Southampton road solar power grid is the fourth and the biggest large scale solar power installation in Westfield. It is estimated to double the existing solar power output in Westfield.
Emily Swanson, Legislative Aid for State Representative John Velis, and Michelle Moriarity, Legislative Aid to State Senator Don Humason were present and delivered citations from their respective legislative chambers commending the solar field’s construction.
“This is a great location and it is a great business to be here,” said Mayor Brian Sullivan, “This is an economic development as well as a green energy development.”
Mayor Sullivan added that he was happy with the community’s response to the new solar field. He said that he had yet to hear a complaint from a member of the Westfield community.
Craig Dwyer, founder and CEO of Terawatt Solar Energy. Terawatt was a developing partner for Westfield’s newest solar array. (Photo by Peter Currier)
“We have a project in place that works for everyone,” said Lisa Raffin, Chief Investment Officer at Green Street Power Partners.
Although there were cloudy skies overhead during the ceremony, the solar panels will still function during low light conditions, but not as well as if they were receiving direct sunlight.
Ward 1 City Council member Mary Ann Babinski with a souvenir following the ribbon cutting. (Photo by Peter Currier)
Raffin also announced the Westfield Community Solar program. The program will allow up to 250 Westfield residents to receive an annual compensation of $50-$80. The compensation is a part of an incentive program by the state which passes some of the annual savings to residents in communities with solar power. Signing up is free and the program will run from 2019 to 2027. Being a participant will not mean one’s home is running directly off solar energy.
“We are actively looking for residents to participate in the Community Solar Program,” said Raffin.
