American Capital begins construction on 22MW of solar projects

American Capital Energy (ACE) has commenced construction on nine solar projects, totaling 22MW, located in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, US.

Clean Focus, which financed the projects, will own and operate the portfolio that comprises around 19.5MW located on capped landfills.

Under the nine different 20 year agreements, the projects will sell net-metering credits to various towns in the Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC) and to the Town of Dennis.

The solar systems are anticipated to generate around 28,578MWh of electricity in the first year of operation, according to Clean Focus.

Through a competitive bidding process, CVEC and Dennis selected ACE as the project developer, while construction will be continued until May 2014.

American Capital Energy (ACE) president and CEO Thomas Hunton said the company will develop and construct solar projects on landfills.

"Covering all of the capped landfills and brownfields in the United States with solar could make enough electricity to power our nation on sunlight alone," Hunton added.

Clean Focus president and CEO Stanley Chin said the projects highlight the ability of solar power not only to generate clean renewable energy but also to repurpose unproductive land to a positive use.

"We are grateful for ACE, CVEC and each of the Towns for their hard work in solving the complex and challenging conditions for the financing of these nine landfill solar projects," Chin added.

American Capital, which designs, finances, installs and implements solar systems for commercial, municipal, and utility clients, has installed around 50 large-scale PV projects in 13 states, as well as 35MW of PV projects on landfills and brownfields.