FOXBOROUGH, Mass (August 2, 2010) - In a ceremony overlooking Gillette Stadium and The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon, Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG), Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESLR) and Patriot Place announced the completion of a photovoltaic power system that will generate approximately 525 kilowatts of clean, renewable solar power at Patriot Place, The Kraft Group's shopping, dining and entertainment destination adjacent to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
U.S. Representative Barney Frank and Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles joined The Kraft Group Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft and officials from Patriot Place, Constellation Energy and Evergreen Solar for the announcement.
"When someone of [Robert Kraft's] stature as a business leader and promoter of economic development shows you that the environmental movement can be not just a chore, but a source of economic strength and growth, I hope others pay attention," said Congressman Frank during the program.
"This is good business and the greening of our environment is important for our children and grandchildren," said Kraft.
"Through Governor Patrick's leadership, Massachusetts is on track for a 20-fold increase in solar power over a four-year period," said Bowles. "This new 525-kilowatt array at Patriot Place is another chapter in the Commonwealth's solar success story - which has added jobs and companies across the Massachusetts economy. I congratulate Patriot Place, Constellation Energy and Evergreen Solar for a project that will have a huge public profile throughout football season and beyond."
Constellation Energy's subsidiary, Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group, began installing the system in November 2009. It now supplies approximately 30 percent of Patriot Place's power and spans seven building rooftops at the complex. Among them is The Hall at Patriot Place Presented by Raytheon, an award-winning sports and entertainment experience. Photovoltaic panels on the roof of The Hall will be visible to visitors from inside Gillette Stadium and from Patriot Place's upper retail plaza, promoting commercial applications of solar power.
"We are pleased to announce the completion of this beautiful new solar facility at Patriot Place," said Michael Smith, Constellation Energy Sr. Vice President of Green Initiatives. "We're confident that this highly visible project will promote solar power and its viability in states like Massachusetts, and hope that it spurs similar solar projects throughout New England."
The system's 2,556 solar panels will generate more than 625,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. They were supplied by Massachusetts-based Evergreen Solar. "We're thrilled that Patriot Place has chosen Evergreen Solar for this highly-visible solar installation," said Scott Gish, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Evergreen Solar. "As a company producing solar panels that deliver more electricity with less impact on the environment including the smallest carbon footprint, we feel we align perfectly with the environmental goals of Patriot Place while demonstrating the viability of solar power to the many patrons and fans traveling through this incredible complex."
Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group estimates that the system will generate more than 12 million kilowatt hours of electricity over 20 years, and prevent the release of more than 8,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. That is the equivalent of removing more than 1,600 passenger vehicles from the road for a year. The system's real time power output and performance can be monitored through a Web-based data acquisition system.
Under a 20-year power purchase agreement, Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group will own the energy assets and sell the electricity it generates on site to Patriot Place.
"This project is a cornerstone of Patriot Place's sustainability initiatives and we are proud that its visibility will help promote practical and cost-effective commercial applications of solar power," said Jim Nolan, Sr. VP of Finance, Administration and Operations for Gillette Stadium/Patriot Place.
Patriot Place, which began opening in phases in 2008, was constructed utilizing sustainable design practices, including low-emitting construction materials and white roofs to facilitate heat island reduction. Patriot Place also employs an on-site wastewater re-use system that saves millions of gallons of water annually, and solar-powered trash receptacles throughout the complex reduce waste volume and energy consumption.
About Patriot Place
Patriot Place, located adjacent to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., features more than 1 million square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment options, including large and boutique retailers, 16 casual to high end restaurants and other nightlife venues. Among the highlights of Patriot Place are New England's first Bass Pro Shops, a state-of-the-art, 14-screen Showcase Cinema De Lux, the first Showcase Live concert and event venue, the 16,000-square-foot CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar, The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon, a Brigham & Women's/Mass General Health Care Facility and the Renaissance Hotel & Spa at Patriot Place. In 2010, Patriot Place 2010, Patriot Place will add two interactive entertainment experiences by 5 Wits Productions, Espionage and 20,000 Leagues, as well as its 17th restaurant, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill. For more information, visit www.patriot-place.com.
About Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group
Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group (www.ceprojects.com) is the energy services arm of Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG), a leading supplier of energy products and services to wholesale and retail electric and natural gas customers. Serving business and institutional customers nationwide, Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group specializes in financial and environmental solutions that can significantly reduce energy consumption and costs. Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group delivers the technical expertise to develop large scale energy projects, such as solar, biomass and geothermal projects, and on- or off-site power generation systems. The company also designs and implements full energy system retrofits that save energy and reduce harmful emissions.
About Evergreen Solar, Inc.
Evergreen Solar, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets STRING RIBBON™ solar power products using its proprietary, low-cost wafer technology. The company's patented wafer manufacturing technology uses significantly less polysilicon than conventional processes. Evergreen Solar's products provide reliable and environmentally clean electric power for residential and commercial applications globally. For more information about the company, please visit www.evergreensolar.com.
