The Delaware North-owned-and-operated TD Garden in Boston, home of the NHL’s Bruins and NBA’s Celtics, recently announced a deal with Clean Energy Collective (CEC) to reduce the electricity costs at New England’s largest sports and entertainment arena through community solar technology.

According to CEC, TD Garden is serving as an anchor tenant in the collective’s 1.3-megawatt community-shared solar PV (photovoltaic cell, or “light-catching” cell) facility located in Holliston, Mass. Participating in the community solar array is expected to save Delaware North about $375,000 in utility costs over the term of the agreement.

CEC notes that the deal also includes a marketing arrangement that will promote community solar to event fans and attendees.

“Delaware North, owner and operator of TD Garden, is committed to finding new ways to bring an environmentally responsible approach to all our arena operations,” said Amy Latimer, president of TD Garden. “As one of the first in the industry to adopt a companywide environmental management system, GreenPath, we are grateful to CEC for bringing this project close to home and allowing us another opportunity to help reduce our environmental footprint.”

The agreement is ideal for TD Garden because putting a solar system on the roof was not practical or cost effective.

Through CEC’s Roofless Solar program, TD Garden instead subscribed to a portion of the energy produced at the Holliston Community Solar Array, connected directly to the Eversource electric grid 40 miles to the west, and receives the associated monetary credits directly on its utility bills.

“Clean Energy Collective is proud to provide Delaware North with a solution that delivers immediate economic benefit and supports their environmental initiatives, both as a company and in the operation of such an iconic venue,” says CEC President Tom Sweeney. “Participation from high-quality companies like Delaware North is contr ibuting to the successful deployment and accelerated growth of community solar.”

 

Published February 24, 2017