Town Of Medfield "Flips the Switch" On New Solar Installation At Memorial Elementary School

Town of Medfield "Flips the Switch" on New Solar Installation at Memorial Elementary School

374 kW project marks a major milestone in Town’s Net Zero 2050 Climate Action Plan

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Medfield, MA - On May 11, the Town of Medfield hosted a "Flip the Switch" ceremony at the Memorial Elementary School to celebrate the completion of a new 374.40 kW solar array. This project represents a significant step forward in the Town’s commitment to renewable energy and long-term fiscal responsibility.

The celebration brought together town leadership, project partners, educators, students, and community members on a beautiful sunny morning to mark the milestone. Speakers included Dr. Jeffrey J. Marsden, Ed.D., Superintendent of Medfield Public Schools; Eileen Murphy of the Board of Selectmen; Christopher Gordon of the Medfield Energy Committee; Penni Conner of Eversource; and Byron Woodman of Solect Energy. The event featured a ceremonial ribbon cutting, followed by a special “Flip the Switch” to commemorate the recent activation of the project. Residents, parents, and attendees joined the celebration, along with two first-grade classes from Memorial Elementary School.

Students created handmade posters for the event; one class designed colorful “Flip the Switch” signs, while another learned about renewable energy and created step-by-step posters explaining how solar power works. Adding to the excitement, the new solar array generated enough electricity this past April to fully power Memorial Elementary School for the month, with excess energy benefiting the town through carbon credit savings on municipal energy bills.

“The solar canopy is a great accomplishment for the town that will help secure our environmental and fiscal health for long after these children at Memorial walk through the halls of Medfield High School for graduation,” said Christopher Gordon, Member of the Medfield Energy Committee.

The Memorial Elementary installation is the latest and largest addition to Medfield’s solar portfolio, joining two existing operational sites: the Department of Public Works (DPW) building (216.50 kW) and the Thomas Blake Middle School (122.88 kW). Together, these projects demonstrate Medfield’s proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint and energy costs through strategic infrastructure investments.

“We are implementing solar to help save the town money, reduce energy usage, and lower our carbon footprint, so this is truly a win-win-win all the way around,” said Penni Conner of Eversource. “This particular installation alone will save the town over half a million dollars over 25 years.”

The project was developed and installed by Solect Energy through the PowerOptions Solar & Storage Program. By leveraging this partnership, the Town was able to utilize pre-negotiated contracts and a power purchase agreement (PPA), ensuring a seamless development process without the burden of upfront capital costs.

“PowerOptions exists to make clean energy projects affordable and achievable - and Medfield’s new solar canopy is exactly what that looks like in practice,” said Walter Gray, Program Director at PowerOptions. “Our group procurement program opened the door with competitive pricing and a streamlined process, but it was Medfield's determined leadership that carried this across the finish line. This solar canopy is more than an energy asset; it's a lasting symbol of what a committed community can accomplish – and an inspiration to students and residents for decades to come. PowerOptions is proud to have helped make this happen.”

The expansion of on-site solar generation aligns directly with the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP). Following the 2021 resident vote to support a Net Zero 2050 goal, the Town has prioritized strategies identified in its Townwide Masterplan and Municipal Vulnerability Plan to transition toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

“The installation of solar canopies requires a strong collaboration between multiple parties, and we’re incredibly grateful for the teamwork and partnership of the Town of Medfield, the School District, Eversource and Solect to successfully complete the solar canopy,” said Byron Woodman, Senior Business Development Manager at Solect Energy. “We look forward to continuing to support Medfield as they expand their sustainability and solar initiatives and deliver long-term savings to the community.”

With the Memorial Elementary system now fully operational, the Town of Medfield continues to set a regional standard for municipal sustainability, turning climate goals into tangible results for the community and its students.

About the Town of Medfield

The Town of Medfield is committed to a sustainable future, guided by its Net Zero 2050 climate goal and the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP). Through the leadership of the Energy Committee and collaboration across town departments, Medfield continues to implement green initiatives, including large-scale solar and energy efficiency upgrades, to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for all residents.

About Solect Energy

Solect Energy is a leading provider of solar and energy storage solutions for businesses, schools, cities, towns, and nonprofits in the Northeast, with 900+ installed projects totaling 185+ MW. Headquartered in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Solect is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group. Visit us at: solect.com.

Media Contact: Elaine Vescio, Senior Marketing Manager at Solect Energy, evescio@solect.com or 508-612-3000

About PowerOptions

PowerOptions is New England's largest energy-buying consortium for nonprofits and the public sector, with more than 800 members across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and Rhode Island. A nonprofit serving other nonprofits since 1998, PowerOptions' solar program has completed over 300 projects totaling 120+ megawatts. Learn more at poweroptions.org.