The site of the state’s largest solar installation in Harvard.The state’s largest agricultural solar installation is set to be unveiled in Harvard.

A "ribbon-cutting" celebrating the Carlson Orchard’s solar system’s interconnection to the power grid is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 p.m. The event will kick off the orchard’s annual Peach Festival, which will be held this weekend.

The 220 kilowatt project is more than three times larger than the previous largest, a 65kW system at Four Star Farms in Northfield, according to a statement.

Rockland’s Lighthouse Electrical Contracting Inc. headed the design/build ground-mount photovoltaic (PV) system at Carlson Orchards.

Lighthouse Project Manager Newell Thomas and President Herb Aikens supervised a field crew ranging from eight to 10 IBEW electricians during the three-month project.

The solar project is being funded in large part by grants from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC)/Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (CEC). It is among the first solar projects in the State to incorporate virtual netmetering and an MTC/CEC grant, according to a statement.

The PV system is expected to generate approximately 70 percent to 80 percent of the annual energy usage of the orchard, largely for the operation of refrigeration units used to chill and preserve harvested apples.

 

State’s Largest Solar Installation To Be Unveiled

by Banker & Tradesman time to read: 1 min
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