Published 04-06-09
Submitted by Green Mountain Power Corporation
COLCHESTER, VT -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/06/09 -- Green Mountain Power customers will be especially happy to see the sun shine in Berlin, Vermont, where the Company will build the largest solar array in Northern New England. At 200 kilowatts, the new array will be the largest project in Vermont when it is built this summer.
"Building a large solar generator is an important step towards reaching our vision of supplying customers with power that has low carbon emissions, low cost and high reliability," said Mary Powell, president and chief executive officer of Green Mountain Power. "Solar power is extremely low in emissions, and perhaps best of all, with the help of declining solar costs, grants and tax credits, this project will be cost effective for our customers."
The solar generator will be located on Green Mountain Power property west of Montpelier on a site that is ideal for a solar installation, with open space and good sun.
Using a competitive bid process, Green Mountain Power has chosen Alteris Renewables (formerly SolarWorks and Solar Wrights) of Montpelier, Vermont, to build the plant. "We very consciously bid the project among Vermont companies so this project would support our green economy and create jobs here at home," said Ms. Powell
The permitting process has begun and the project is expected to be completed this summer. "This solar plant will be an important milestone for Vermont in terms of realizing cost-effective, utility scale solar generation," said Leigh Seddon, vice president of Alteris Renewables.
The Berlin project will be Green Mountain Power's third solar installation. The Company recently installed a 58-kilowatt solar power system at GMP's Westminster, Vermont, service center, which supplies 80 percent of that facility's electricity needs. It also has four-kilowatt solar panels at its Colchester headquarters, which provide enough electricity to power its two plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Green Mountain Power will develop a website with generation data about the plant, which will be accessible to the public and particularly useful to school groups who study renewable energy and choose to tour the site.
"In Vermont, we are always happy to see the sun shine," said Ms.Powell. "This gives us one more reason to rejoice on a sunny day."
About Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power (www.greenmountainpower.com) transmits, distributes and sells electricity and utility construction services in the State of Vermont in a service territory with approximately one quarter of Vermont's population. It serves more than 200,000 people and businesses.
About Alteris Renewables
Formed when SolarWrights, Inc, and Solar Works, Inc joined forces in October of 2008, Alteris Renewables is a full service renewable energy systems integrator and project developer. The company provides solar electric (photovoltaic), solar thermal, and wind energy solutions for commercial, residential, education, municipal and institutional clients. The company has industry leading expertise in engineering, design, project management, performance analysis, project financing and renewable energy credit programs. For more information, please visit www.alterisinc.com.
Green Mountain Power, an investor-owned electric utility serving one-quarter of Vermont's population, embraces speed, efficiency, open communication and environmental commitment. As a member of Ceres, Green Mountain Power is committed to continuous environmental improvement and uses the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines to report on its environmental, economic and social activities. In 2006, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility named Green Mountain Power "Large Company Leader of the Year." Green Mountain Power owns and operates the largest commercial wind generating station in New England. In 2005, approximately 48 percent of the fuels used to generate electricity came from water, wood and wind.
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