By
Greentech Lead Team: PowerPlay Solar Development, an integrated
solar development and finance company, announced the commissioning and
commencement of operation of the 2 MW (megawatt), photovoltaic solar plant at
Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA.
“Committing
to this solar project is a significant statement by Berkshire School on
environmental stewardship. It’s been exciting for our team to develop this
impressive solar power plant in support of the School’s sustainability and
energy goals,” said
Levine, senior development partner at PowerPlay Solar Development.
The
9 acre project is currently the largest operating solar facility of its kind at
any school or college in New England. The Berkshire School ground-mounted
system is utilizing 8,332 high performance crystalline silicon solar panels.
The
project is expected to produce approximately 45 percent of the school’s
electricity needs and help the school achieve carbon neutrality by 2016. The
project is part of the School’s broad sustainability master plan submitted
by Berkshire students to the School’s Board of Trustees.
PowerPlay Solar Development designed and constructed
the project in collaboration with Spire Solar Systems, a solar systems design
builder based in Bedford, MA. The crystalline silicon solar panels
manufactured in the USA by SolarWorld.
“This
is a tremendous opportunity for Berkshire School–financially, educationally
and environmentally. Using our own land to generate clean electricity is the
right and responsible thing to do,” said Mike Maher, Berkshire’s head
of school.