Massachusetts General Hospital

621 Energy completed a 476-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) energy system installation that powers the Massachusetts General Hospital research and parking facility located in Charlestown. This project consists of 1,487 solar panels and 17 solar inverters that help save the hospital approximately $95,000 annually. The rooftop PV system is expected to generate 568,000 kWh in its first year of production.

Chris Longchamps, senior facilities engineer at Mass General, said that the solar power installation is the latest example of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to sustainability that began a few years ago and continues to expand with the installation of LED lighting.

The harbor location and 100-foot roof elevation created high wind loads addressed with the installation of a GameChange GridLite 10-degree racking system to minimize ballast requirements. The City of Boston required a 621 Energy performed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved solar glare study due to the site’s proximity to Logan Airport. 621 Energy performed this study to determine that solar panel glare would not impact pilots landing or taking off.

 “We were excited to provide a leading hospital in the region with a smarter energy system to support the needs of the facility, and we hope to continue our relationship with them well into the future,” said Bob Clarke, president at 621 Energy.