October 30, 2009

Boston, MA NECA Boston Chapter firm, Lighthouse Electrical Contracting, Inc. of Rockland, Mass. will commence the design/build $1.1 million 180kW photovoltaic solar project at Deer Island’s water treatment facility for the MWRA in early November.

Lighthouse has specified and will install a modular Sunpower Power Guard photovoltaic system comprised of 592 305-watt solar panels on the 75,000 s/f roof of the Deer Island MWRAWarehouse/Maintenance building. The array will cover approximately 13,000 s/f.

The highly energy efficient Sunpower system is designed to lay flat on the roof thus maximizing the system size. The base of the panel has a foam blocking feature that will protect the roof and also help insulate the building. The R-10 insulation rating of the system will save up to 30% additional energy by reducing the building’s heating and cooling loads. The Sunpower sytem also was specified for its high wind resistance feature as it is able to withstand winds to 140 mph.

Lighthouse project managers Scott Sullivan, Newell Thomas, and foreman Justin Aikens will supervise the Lighthouse field crew of 6 electricians from IBEW Local 103. The fast-track project is scheduled to be completed by January 1st, 2010.

Lighthouse is handling design/build project services with a project team consisting of Stephen Kelleher Architects of Fairhaven and Art Engineering of Worcester. Both firms are serving as subcontractors to Lighthouse Electrical on the project.

Last year, Lighthouse Electrical completed installation of a 100kW photovoltaic system on the waste water treatment plant facility at Deer Island during the same late fall/early winter season, and was able to manage the project successfully, meeting project parameters despite harsh weather conditions.