A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for Rhode Island’s first community solar array, a 3.307-MW system in Burrillville that is open to enrollment for residents across the state.
BURRILLVILLE – Rhode Island’s first operational solar project under the state’s Community Remote Net Metering Pilot Program has opened in Burrillville.
Nautilus Solar Energy, a national solar acquisition, development and asset management company, announced this week that the 3.307 megawatt community solar garden will provide residents across the state access to solar power, without the need to install solar panels on their roof.
The program allows non-profits and community members to “buy-in” to off-site or remote clean energy to save costs and help to reduce carbon emissions.
Officially opened in August 2019, the “community garden” incorporates ground-mounted fixed-tilt installations, and is expected to produce 145 gigawatts over 35 years.
“The state’s community solar program allows most Rhode Islanders, who want to reduce their carbon emissions but who cannot install solar panels on their own homes, to purchase solar power at a rate lower than what they are paying now for standard offer service,” said state Energy Commissioner Carol Grant.
Engineered by ConEd Solutions, the project was developed by ISM Solar Development of East Providence, and is 100 percent subscribed with over 700 residential customers through Acadia Power.
Nautilus Solar is responsible for long-term asset management and maintenance services for the project.
The garden is the first of several projects expected to come online in the months ahead, giving National Grid customers more options to switch to clean energy. The 6.68 megawatt Hopkins Hill project in West Greenwich; the 12.42 megawatt King project in North Smithfield; and the 3.1 megawatt Beacon project in Cranston are all expected to be operational in 2020. Arcadia Power is now enrolling customers for all three projects.
“The goal of community solar has always been to make it possible for anyone to access clean energy savings, but the user experience has traditionally been anything but seamless,” said Kiran Bhatraju, CEO of Arcadia Power. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the completion of this project by ISM Solar and Nautilus, and to be providing hassle-free community solar to Arcadia Power members in Rhode Island.”
The Rhode Island Community Remote Net Metering Pilot Program, created in 2016, is expected to help contribute to the State’s clean energy production goals.
“Our team is excited to bring this historic project online for the state of Rhode Island,” said Greg Lucini, CEO of ISM Solar Development. “Thanks to the hard work of so many we are able to celebrate a solar energy success that will benefit our entire community.”
