State leaders, Brockton Housing Authority celebrate completion of solar project by ISM Solar

Solar field to produce approx. 3.5 MW

Senate President Pro Tempore Marc R. Pacheco (D-First Plymouth and Bristol) joined the Brockton Housing Authority and project partners – NRG Energy, ISM Solar and PowerOptions – in celebrating the completion of a new solar farm with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Nov. 27.

The solar farm comprises 13,770 panels and will produce more than 3.5 megawatts AC, or enough to power approximately 570 average households. The project is expected to offset more than 2,800 metric tons of CO2 annually.

“The economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy are significant,” said Senator Pacheco. “This new solar project in Dighton is a great example of how Massachusetts is leading the way in renewable energy and shows how the public and private sectors can work together to help create jobs while also reducing carbon emissions. The people of my district and the entire Commonwealth will reap the benefits of this project for years to come.”

“I’m excited to see this project go online and I thank NRG, the Brockton Housing Authority, ISM Solar, and PowerOptions for working together to make it happen,” Massachusetts House Speaker Pro Tempore Patricia Haddad (D-5th Bristol) said. “These sorts of partnerships will continue to help Massachusetts be a leader in renewable energy.”

In addition to offsetting emissions, the solar project will also provide significant reductions in energy spending for the Brockton Housing Authority, which manages 1,951 apartments in 16 public housing developments throughout Brockton as well as 1,000 rent-assisted apartments/houses.

“The Brockton Housing Authority stands to see significant savings over the years thanks to this project. That savings will help operate and maintain 2,000 apartments for low-income families,” Brockton Housing Authority Executive Director Thomas Thibeault said. “In addition, the BHA will be doing its part to reduce its carbon footprint. We are grateful to partner with NRG, ISM Solar, and Power Options to make this possible.”

The projects were developed jointly by NRG, ISM Solar, and PowerOptions, and will be owned, operated and maintained by NRG.

“Communities are increasingly looking for ways to decrease their carbon footprints,” NRG Director of External Affairs Dan Hendrick said. “Thanks to strong efforts led by local leadership, and bolstered by NRG’s ongoing partnership with ISM Solar, NRG is able to deliver clean and affordable energy to our communities in their own backyards.”

“With the completion of this project, residents of the Brockton Housing Authority will be using renewable energy for much of their needs, helping to save the environment and the housing authority will see substantial savings on energy costs over course of their 20-year contract,” PowerOptions Executive Vice President Meg Lusardi said.