Solar Farm Set on Historic Abbey in Spencer, MA is Part of NRG’s
Growing Electricity Offerings in the Commonwealth
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2016--
NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) today announced that its renewables
business’ newest community solar facility in Massachusetts has come
online in the town of Spencer to serve the electricity needs of more
than 1,500 residential and commercial subscribers in the Commonwealth.
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NRG Energy Inc.'s newest community solar farm is the largest co-located community solar site in Massachusetts. (Photo: Business Wire)
The commissioning of NRG’s largest community solar facility in the
United States reflects the company’s growing business in Massachusetts
and other states in the Northeast. In addition to residential rooftop
and community solar offerings, NRG offers Massachusetts residents and
business owners retail electric choice when determining how they will
power their homes and businesses.
The Spencer community solar farm — situated on 200 acres of the historic
St. Joseph’s Abbey — is 100% subscribed and has a rated capacity of 14.7
MW (AC) comprised of more than 61,000 solar photovoltaic panels. The new
facility, which is NRG’s third operating community solar farm in
Massachusetts, demonstrates the company’s increasing commitment to
community solar that provides affordable, locally-produced energy
solutions without installing equipment on a customer’s property.
“This is NRG’s largest community solar project in the United States,”
said Drew Warshaw, Vice President of Community Solar, NRG. “It
represents an opportunity for a diverse mix of residential and
commercial customers to support clean energy and receive long-term
savings on their electricity bill all without putting solar panels on
their roof.”
Subscribers to the Spencer facility entered into a 20-year agreement
with NRG Community Solar and, in exchange for a fixed monthly payment,
earn credits toward their electricity bill based on their allocation of
renewable energy net metering credits generated by the project.
“We welcome the opportunity to be part of this important and sustainable
project for renewable energy resources for Massachusetts,” said John
Stevens, Chairman of the Spencer Board of Selectmen. “Generating
electricity from renewable energy offers significant public benefits,
energy price stability and health dividends.”
Matthew Beaton, Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary
added: “The Commonwealth is a national leader in solar energy,
harnessing the full potential of clean energy innovations to reduce
costs and carbon emissions. The Baker-Polito Administration is committed
to working with our municipal partners across Massachusetts to expand
community solar projects, saving ratepayers and taxpayers thousands of
dollars annually that can be reinvested into the community.”
The project – which created 150 jobs during its nearly year-long
construction – represents one of many community solar projects NRG has
in the pipeline in Massachusetts and Minnesota.
“Thank you to NRG for the project support they afforded to St. Joseph’s
Abbey during the construction process,” said State Representative Donald
Berthiaume, Jr. “Spencer is blessed to have partners like the Abbey who
support projects that benefit our community as a whole.”
State Senator Anne Gobi added: “This project is an example of meeting
the renewable energy goals that the Commonwealth has adopted. In
addition, it helps the Trappists and their mission to be
self-sustaining.”
About NRG
NRG is the leading integrated power company in the U.S., built on the
strength of the nation’s largest and most diverse competitive electric
generation portfolio and leading retail electricity platform. A Fortune
200 company, NRG creates value through best in class operations,
reliable and efficient electric generation, and a retail platform
serving residential and commercial businesses. Working with electricity
customers, large and small, we continually innovate, embrace and
implement sustainable solutions for producing and managing energy. We
aim to be pioneers in developing smarter energy choices and delivering
exceptional service as our retail electricity providers serve almost 3
million residential and commercial customers throughout the country.
More information is available at www.nrg.com.
Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161118005046/en/
Source: NRG Energy, Inc.
NRG
Erik Linden, 609-524-4519
erik.linden@nrg.com