What Happened?
New Bedford, Massachusetts, has launched a $53 million project that includes expanding its historic fishing docks to supply wind farms off the state coastline as well as the installation of solar panels at 10 sites across the city.
The Goal
Once the epicenter of the New England’s massive fishing industry, the harbor area is being redeveloped to handle construction of future wind farms built off the coast. This new marine commerce terminal should drive economic development via jobs over the next 25 years.
Via the solar route, New Bedford is able to generate enough power to offset usage from the city’s water supply, school buildings and streetlights. Both projects will be completed funded without generating more debt for the city. New Bedford has taken measures to utilize credits and incentives to fund the project such as tax credits and other arrangements. The state of Massachusetts is funding the new Terminal area through its Clean Energy Commission.
How Does This Happen?
New Bedford does not own the solar panels being installed, but rather buys the power from the companies that own them at a fixed price. Because the city is able to buy the clean energy in bulk, New Bedford is able to take advantage of prices well below the current rates of 12 cents to 16 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Furthermore, the city is able to generate energy savings of around $1 million annually, which equates to 2.5 percent of the city’s $285 million budget. Over the next 20 years, city officials predict New Bedford will save $21.8 million in lower electrical bills.
New Bedford’s recent push for more renewable energy sources is just phase one of a larger plan. The city hopes to eventually obtain all of its electricity from renewable sources. Plans are in the works to:
- Replace municipal lighting with energy efficient bulbs
- Convert oil-fired boilers to run on natural gas
- Refit city buildings with insulation and new windows
- Training residents to become clean energy experts to maintain the infrastructure
International Movement To Green
The United States is far from alone in seeking out renewable energy sources. China, for example, has become the world’s largest producer of wind-power and biggest market for solar panels. China also completed the Three Gorges Dam project that has made it the world leader in hydro-energy production.
Because China is growing so rapidly, the country is still dependent on coal to fuel a portion of its industries. With the increase push for renewable energy sources, however, many argue China may be generating 80 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2050.
In addition, India recently announced plans to utilize solar power to enable every home in the country to run at least one light bulb by 2019. Currently 400 million people in India live without electricity. This five-year strategy will need state-level administrators to collaborate with the central government to implement the green technology nationwide. The project will also be a major source of green energy jobs to support the growing Indian population.
Major Savings with Solar
Gov1 has been following solar power projects that place installations on rooftops, bus stops and other infrastructure.