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Town of Wayland officials and Ameresco, an energy efficiency and renewable energy company, hosted an event on Friday, December 2, at the Wayland High School to dedicate the Town’s four recently completed solar facilities. Local Wayland residents participated in the celebration.
Wayland’s solar arrays are comprised of a total of 4,214 photovoltaic panels totaling 1,289 kW, and designed to generate over 1.5 million kWh of renewable electricity each year. Collectively, the three solar canopies at the High School, Middle School and Town Building, in addition to a roof top system at the Department of Public Works building are expected to generate enough electricity to offset roughly twenty five percent of the town’s municipal electric needs and generate a financial savings of over $100,000 per year for Wayland. In addition, the solar arrays represent an important contribution to Wayland’s continuing efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon offset by the renewable power is equivalent to the annual electricity usage in more than 113 homes annually.
Speakers who were in the celebration ceremony included: Eileen McHugh, MCPPO, Senior Program Coordinator Energy Management Services, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER); Cherry Karslon, Chair, Board of Selectman, Wayland; Allyson Mizoguchi, Principal, Wayland High School; and Jim Walker, P.E., Vice President, Solar, Ameresco.
“We are thrilled that the solar systems are up and running. The community has watched the construction with great anticipation,” remarked Cherry Karslon, Chair, Board of Selectman.
“The energy efficiency work in our town buildings and solar project allowed Wayland to both reduce our carbon footprint and save the town money on its operating expenses. The solar projects will help provide roughly 25% of our municipal electric needs. It has been a win-win for Wayland,” said Ellen Tohn, Co-Chair Energy Initiatives Advisory Committee.
"With the passage of the Green Communities Act of 2008, the Commonwealth established an opportunity for municipalities to blaze a new path in the clean energy field. Wayland was one of our earliest designations as a Green Community and I am pleased to see the town utilize the powerful opportunity provided by an energy management services program,” said Dan Knapik, Director of the Green Communities Division at the Department of Energy Resources. “With their partner, Ameresco, the Town will not only be generating clean renewable solar energy from an innovative project, they will also experience a significant guaranteed financial savings."
“Municipalities across Massachusetts have been reaping the financial and environmental benefits that come with incorporating renewable energy into their fuel mix,” said Ani Krishnan, Interim Manager of Clean Energy, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). ”We are pleased to have provided Wayland with the mechanism to partner with Ameresco through our regional procurement program and build these exceptional projects.”
“We are delighted to have worked with the Town of Wayland and its dedicated volunteers on the Energy Committee to realize their vision for creating a sustainable community,” said Jim Walker, Vice President, Solar, Ameresco. “Our solar photovoltaic projects on schools, municipal buildings and parking lot canopies are a source of pride within the community. Even better, the sustainable energy projects deliver electricity cost savings to support other municipal and school budget priorities.”