Solar  -  June 8, 2021

Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to Buy Credits from New Solar

A 2.8 MW solar array that will provide net metered credits to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is being developed on a former petroleum storage facility.

The project was completed through a partnership between GZA GeoEnvironmental and Kearsarge Energy in East Providence. The installation includes 6,884 solar panels that will generate 3.5 million kWh annually. RIPTA expects to save more than $5 million a year through the discounted net metered credits it has agreed to purchase from the solar farm.

“The GZA team was a critical component of our success as they led permitting, environmental compliance, and remediation and oversaw construction,” Andrew Bernstein, Kearsarge Managing Partner, said in a statement. “The project adds to our nearly 80 megawatts of installed solar capacity across Rhode Island, and we are pleased that it proved to be beneficial for the landowner, the City of East Providence, The East Providence Waterfront Commission, RIPTA, and all involved stakeholders.”

GZA has been leading other environmental remediation projects at the petroleum facility under the guidance of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. These projects have included things like biodegradation, bioventing, and other technologies.