4 New Solar Units Will Power 25 Percent of Wayland's Municipal Buildings

WAYLAND, MA — In the area of solar power, Wayland can now be considered pioneers. The town is now one of the first to complete multiple solar projects, and one of a handful of towns in MetroWest that installed solar canopies.

"Lincoln Sudbury put one up at their High School a year before ours," Ellen Tohn, Board of Selectmen member, told Patch. "Our 3 canopies and one roof system may be one of the largest collective projects in metro west."

With four new solar systems installed in Wayland, it will help to supply roughly 25 percent of the town's municipal electricity. The systems, installed by Ameresco, are at the high school, middle school and two town buildings.

"We went through a process to identify potential locations on municipal land and buildings, to narrow down the locations," said Tohn. "Once we identified potential sites, we worked with a solar developer selected as part of a Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) procurement process (Ameresco) to finalized the site locations, site designs, and financial agreement. Some of the more challenging elements were finalizing the most promising sites to yield the best financial rewards to the town and greatest energy production (reducing our carbon footprint). Several locations we had originally identified as possible sites proved to have local permitting or technical challenges and hence were dropped. The town also had to structure the financial agreement to satisfy our interests. "

To celebrate the success of the new systems, all are invited to the dedication of the four new systems on Friday, Dec. 2, at 3 pm. at Wayland High School.

Wayland’s solar arrays are comprised of a total of 4,214 photovoltaic panels totaling 1,289 kW, and generating over 1.5 million kWh of renewable electricity each year, said the announcement. That means that collectively, three solar canopies at the High School, Middle School and Town Building and a roof top system at the Department of Public Works building will generate enough electricity to offset roughly 25 percent of the town’s municipal electric needs and generate a financial savings of more than $100,000 per year for Wayland.

"The projects represent an important contribution to Wayland’s continuing efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions," said the press release. "The carbon offset by the renewable power is equivalent to the annual electricity usage in more than 113 homes annually."

Tohn added that no investment was needed by the town by working with Ameresco.

"We benefit financially through Ameresco tax payments and credits on our municipal electric bill," said Tohn.

The units have not yet begun generating power, and the town is awaiting a final utility inspection.

"We hope they will be on line by the end of the year," said Tohn.

View the invitation to the event here.

Photo via town of Wayland