Area Development
Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) has completed construction on the largest solar energy plant in New England. The facility, located on Silver Lake Boulevard in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has a 1.8-megawatt capacity.

"Large scale solar energy today becomes a reality in the Commonwealth," said Peter Clarke, WMECo president and COO. "Silver Lake provides tangible evidence that large scale, utility-owned solar makes sense on many levels. We are demonstrating a commitment to development of the region's renewable energy industry while also revitalizing an environmentally-challenged site."

WMECo jointly owns the eight-acre site with the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA). The project will create 35 jobs.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has set a goal to install 250 megawatts of solar power by 2017, according to state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles.