New England Business Bulletin
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — WinnCompanies has completed solar power installation at New Bedford’s Whaler’s Place, an affordable senior apartment community located at 90 Riverside Ave.
The 168 kW solar photovoltaic system produces approximately 202,000 kW hours of electricity a year. This electricity would otherwise have to be purchased directly from the utility companies.
Whaler’s Place was once a part of the historic waterfront Whitman Mill. Originally built in 1894, the property has housed a garment and textile factory, a wholesale store and is now home to 75 one and two-bedroom apartments and townhouses for residents age 55 and older.
“By installing solar energy at Whaler’s Place, we are preserving the long term affordability of the development, and also allowing residents to reduce their carbon footprint,” said WinnCompanies Director of Green Building Heather Clark.
The solar installations are a small part of an aggressive greening effort by WinnCompanies. Other efforts have included meeting LEED standards in new construction and energy retrofits in existing buildings including air sealing and insulation, lighting improvements, and water efficiency.
The installations of solar panels at Whaler’s Place are part of a large-scale program by WinnCompanies to provide a total of almost one megawatt of solar power at seven locations. The seven locations, considered phase one for Winn, include developments in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Whalers Place received funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, as well as the Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit.
Headquartered in Boston with over 2,000 employees, WinnCompanies has more than 35 years of experience in the development and management of properties throughout the United States with real estate holdings valued in excess of $1.5 billion.
February 06, 2009
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