Jan 7 2010
Woods Hole Landholdings (WHLH) in Falmouth has announced that it has outfitted its office building with solar power provided by Beaumont Solar, using panels from Sun Power, the most efficient solar panels currently commercially available on the global market.
The office building is the headquarters for the Woods Hole Group Inc., an international, environmental, scientific and engineering consulting organization and its affiliate, the Woods Hole Group Middle East. The installation includes over 176 panels covering close to 2,400 square feet of roof space.
"While the international community continues to fail in achieving a common basis for combating global climate change, Woods Hole Landholdings has moved forward locally to address our corporate responsibility to help the United States develop more sustainable energy,” said David Aubrey, owner of WHLH. “When our building was first constructed ten years ago, we were not able at that time to finalize a renewable energy component, though we wanted to and incorporated such an eventuality into our building design. Now, WHLH can proudly say it is doing its part in helping America move towards sustainable business practices."
Taking of advantage of a grant from the Stimulus Bill provided by the Federal Government and a rebate from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust WHLH was able to install solar photovoltaics (PVs), arrays of cells containing a material that converts solar radiation into direct current electricity, which will provide 40 percent of the building’s electric power requirements. The cost of the system will be paid back within five years. On a parallel track, and also assisted by policies and incentives provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, WHLH is upgrading its interior and exterior lighting, at a savings of nearly 50 percent in electricity use for lighting. Woods Hole Group, Middle East, in partnership with Beaumont Solar has recommended a similar solar system for a major infrastructure project in Saudi Arabia, where it has its corporate offices.
“Cape Cod has the second highest electricity rate in the nation after Hawaii,” said Beaumont Solar Company President and CEO, Phil Cavallo. “Considering this fact, the importance of the installation at the Woods Hole Landholdings building, the first commercial installation of solar panels in Falmouth, cannot be understated. The Beaumont Solar Company has been developing renewable energy projects for the past four years, including installations in Southeastern Massachusetts, and companies like WHLH understand both the environmental need and financial benefits of putting renewable energy to use.”