M+W U.S. and EDF Renewable Energy commence construction on their second 6 MW project in Massachusetts

M+W U.S., a subsidiary of the global engineering and construction company M+W Group, Gehrlicher Solar America and EDF Renewable Energy (EDF) have announced the commencement of construction of their second, 6 MW project in the State of Massachusetts. M+W U.S. will perform the engineering, procurement and construction activities while EDF will own and operate the project. The Commercial Operations Date is scheduled for the second quarter of 2014. 

This ground-mounted fixed tilt solar photovoltaic project is located on approximately 26 acres of privately owned land at the former Shirley Airport, 50 miles northwest of Boston. The power generated will be delivered to the town of Billerica, MA under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement, pursuant to the State’s Virtual Net Metering Credits Program.

“We extend our gratitude to the town officials of Lancaster, Shirley and Billerica for their strong support for the project and we look forward to continue to work closely to deliver clean solar power at a time when communities are seeking cost-effective energy solutions that reduce greenhouse gases,” said Nader Jandaghi, Director of Commercial Solar for EDF. “The Lancaster solar project adds to the company’s 300+MWp development portfolio of both distributed generation and utility-scale solar projects across North America and will deliver cost-competitive renewable energy and economic benefits to the host communities.”

Through an integrated approach, M+W U.S. will contract with Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. (GSAC) to execute the implementation of the project. M+W acquired GSAC in August of last year. Similar to the initial 6 MW project between M+W and EDF, called Lepomis, this project will use the same project team in the deployment. “M+W is excited to have a partner like EDF in the development, and deployment of these two exciting projects,” said Robert Wanless, Director of Business Development at M+W U.S.

Rick Whitney, President and CEO of M+W U.S., Inc. stated, “The combination of M+W’s experience in engineering and construction of PV manufacturing facilities, utility infrastructure and large scale power plants, and Gehrlicher’s competency as a photovoltaic system integrator provides this project with industry leading capability from a single source.  We are extremely pleased that our major customer, EDF, has selected us for this second project in Massachusetts.”