The funding, which will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and act as part of Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery Plan, will go to 12 separate contracts that will each install solar energy systems at a public water treatment facilities.
In total, the new solar systems will generate 4.1 megawatts of solar energy and be completed between June 2010 and July 2011.
"Over the past three years, we have built a vibrant solar industry in Massachusetts - quadrupling the number of companies and more than doubling the number of jobs in the solar energy sector," Governor Patrick said. "The projects we're announcing today continue that success - putting federal stimulus dollars to work installing solar panels that will produce clean, renewable power for municipalities within a few short months."
Once completed, the 12 water treatment facilities will combine to save almost $650,000 annually. The solar panel will displace 4.5 million kilowatt hours that would have been taken from more conventional energy sources annually, enough energy to power 600 houses.
