William Stanley Business Park Strikes Gold with Silver Lake Solar Project

With the installation and continued success of the Silver Lake Solar Project, Pittsfield’s future is certainly looking bright.

What began in 2010 as a partnership between the William Stanley Business Park and Western Massachusetts Electric Company, the $11 million, 1.8 megawatt solar project contributes approximately $220,000 of annual property tax revenues to the City of Pittsfield.

WMECo’s Large Scale Solar Program was a driving force behind the construction. According to their website, “…the solar program focuses on developing large-scale solar facilities on sites that offer economies of scale and cost-effective energy production. Of particular interest are capped landfills and environmentally challenged sites that have few or very restricted alternative uses.”

And with its rich history of innovation and the former GE brownfield, now home to the William Stanley Business Park, Pittsfield was the ideal choice.

Watch a time-lapse video of the solar facility’s construction.

The 8-acre parcel, located within the William Stanley Business Park, offers ideal southern exposure, contains 6,500 low-profile solar panels and produces enough power for more than 300 local homes.

View live solar generation data at the Silver Lake Solar Photovoltaic Facility.

As the first tenant to take up residence in the William Stanley Business Park, the project’s publicity instantly began to garner interest for the park within the business community.

Built under the Massachusetts Green Communities Act, the Silver Lake Solar Project was the largest single solar energy program in New England at the time of its construction, and continues to supply electricity to Pittsfield residents with little impact on the environment.

The facility has performed exceptionally well and has consistently generated power, and acclaim. Due to its collective community benefit and innovative use of public policy and financing, the project earned the Photovoltaic Projects of Distinction Award from the Solar Electric Power Association and the Solar Energy Industries Association in April of 2011.

Later in June 2011, the Environmental Business Council of New England presented WMECo with the John A.S. McGlennon Environmental Award of Corporate Leadership for the facility.

With the Silver Lake Solar Project at the forefront, the William Stanley Business Park is setting the stage for an economic and environmental change in Pittsfield. As a designated EOA (Economic Development Area) with rail access and ready-to-build sites, the park is designed to meet today’s evolving business opportunities and is focused on returning the town to its former glory.

For more information, visit http://www.williamstanleybp.com/.