Nexamp and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103 celebrated the completion of a solar and energy storage project at IBEW’s headquarters in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The project will provide IBEW with annual savings on energy costs and supplemental power in the event of a local power outage.
Cutting the ribbon to celebrate the completion of a new solar + storage project at IBEW Local 103 in Dorchester, Massachusetts, are Bernard Treml, Department of Labor; Representative Dan Hunt; Representative Jeff Roy; Nexamp CEO Zaid Ashai; IBEW Local 103 Business Manager Lou Antonellis; and Boston City Councilor Frank Baker. Nexamp
The system pairs 220 kWDC of solar generation on IBEW’s roof with a ground-mounted, 200 kWhAC-coupled, lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) located behind the meter that will provide 265,000 kWh of electricity per year. Nexamp is the long-term operator of this system, working closely with IBEW to ensure efficiency and performance over the life of the project.
“Nexamp is extremely proud of our partnership with IBEW and this project, which will benefit Local 103 and its members for years to come,” said Zaid Ashai, CEO of Nexamp. “This effort builds on our longstanding relationship and helps prepare us for the urgent work ahead, building a renewable and resilient grid that will create local jobs and help mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.”
Two months ago, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, the largest single investment in clean energy in U.S. history; and two months prior to that, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker passed An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind, the second climate bill in two years aimed at accelerating the state’s transition to a clean energy future. Together, these bills will accelerate renewable energy development and help bring more projects, like the one at IBEW Local 103, online.
“Today marks a historic day for our union,” said Lou Antonellis, business manager of IBEW Local 103. “We are committed to building a sustainable, resilient and energy-efficient future for our members and our communities. The completion of this project demonstrates that IBEW electrical workers are leading the way in transitioning to clean energy and resilient infrastructure. We have always had green technology on our campus and this project completed with Nexamp takes that to the next level.”
IBEW’s combined solar and storage system, designed and installed by Nexamp and Lynnwell Associates, will provide enough energy to meet nearly 70% of the electricity needs of IBEW’s headquarters. Combining the solar generation with energy storage has the added cost-saving benefit of enabling IBEW to store solar power when electricity prices are low and use it when prices are high. It can also provide much-needed backup power during disruptions caused by increasingly frequent and intense storms.
“Our partnership with IBEW Local 103 has deepened over the past decade as our company has grown. We know this relationship with labor will be essential to Nexamp’s future success and our work building out the nation’s clean energy infrastructure,” added Chris Perron, senior VP of clean energy development at Nexamp.
This solar project will complement other upgrades completed by IBEW, including façade-mounted solar panels and a wind turbine that provide power to the group’s training center; wind-powered EV charging stations in the parking lot and solar-powered off-grid LED parking lot lights. All of these projects will provide training opportunities for IBEW members who will be installing the technologies at the heart of the clean energy transition.
“Our union is walking the walk when it comes to energy efficiency,” said Renee Dozier, business agent at IBEW Local 103. “The completion of this project comes on the heels of historic support from the Biden administration, through the Inflation Reduction Act and other measures, that means our transition to renewable energy will also uphold and create good union jobs.”
News item from Nexamp