You're reading an older article from ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. Some content, such as code-related information, may be outdated. Visit our homepage to view the most up-to-date articles.
ON OCTOBER 26, BROCKTON MASSACHUSETTS, inaugurated its new brightfield, an environmentally remediated brownfield that now features a 425 kilowatt (kW) solar energy system. The Brockton Brightfield is the biggest of its kind in New England, and it is the biggest brightfield in the nation.
“Cities have the power to make a difference in our local and regional environment, and we can do so through our power choices. People are worried about air pollution, growing asthma rates, skyrocketing energy prices and a dangerous reliance on imported fossil fuels. We need to do all we can to develop alternative sources of energy,” said James E. Harrington, mayor of Brockton.
Brockton’s brightfield will cut the annual emission of carbon dioxide by about 595,300 pounds. It will also cut the emission of other air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.
The system will generate more than 535 MWh of electricity over the next year, enough to power city hall and a fraction of the police station load. Furthermore, there are plans to expand the site. EC
