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Brighton — With the Commonwealth celebrating Climate Week from September 19, 2022, through September 25, 2022, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced a partnership with Eversource to install and operate solar panels on the roofs of two Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) managed ice skating rinks in the City of Boston. The renewable energy systems have been installed at Reilly Memorial Rink in Brighton and Murphy Memorial Rink in South Boston and will become online this fall.
“The installation of solar panels at these ice rinks are great examples of projects being advanced by the Baker-Polito Administration in an effort to make state-owned buildings more sustainable while reducing greenhouse gas emissions into our atmosphere,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “These solar projects will increase clean energy opportunities while making the Commonwealth a healthier place for all to benefit from and we are pleased to partner with Eversource to deliver them to both rinks.”
Both Reilly Rink and Murphy Rink have been equipped with photovoltaic flexible thin-film roof panels because of good solar exposure on the front and sides of the building and experience a high electrical load due to the nature of ice rink operations. The solar film is 80 percent lighter than traditional glass panels, the installation costs are reduced, and film installation can be completed faster with less mounting fixtures and frame fabrication needed. Additionally, the use of solar power also helps heat the rinks through the coldest months of the year in a way that is more cost effective.
“The Department of Conservation and Recreation is proud to work with partners such as Eversource on projects that encourage the use of sustainable energy sources at public properties across the Commonwealth,” said Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Doug Rice. “The Baker-Polito Administration has set forth thorough goals to decarbonize the power grid and the installation of solar panels is a step in the right direction and will serve as an example for the future.”
“As New England’s largest energy company, we’re focused every day on ensuring that our system can connect more clean energy resources to help meet carbon reduction goals while providing safe, reliable service to our customers,” said Eversource Director of Government Affairs Mark Reed. “We’re thrilled to partner with the department to support solar at this important community resource and look forward to our continued work together.”
The solar panels at these locations will support the facilities year round. In addition to operating ice skating rinks during the fall and winter months, the Reilly and Murphy facilities operate during the spring and summer months to support DCR Aquatics and other public uses. The Reilly swimming pool is one of the most popular in the area and the Murphy Rink serves as a lifeguard headquarters station for Carsen Beach, as well as provides public bathrooms for Pleasure Bay visitors.
“I am proud to have Reilly Rink be one of the first DCR properties to feature rooftop solar panels,” said State Representative Michael Moran (D-Brighton). “It’s a necessary step in the right direction as we continue to work together to increase our renewable energy portfolio and move away from fossil fuels.”
“Glad to see DCR leading the way,” said State Senator William Brownsberger (D-Belmont). “We are going to need to generate renewable power on every rooftop we can.”
The Murphy Memorial Rink was equipped with 216 panels at 540 watts per panel for a total of 116,640 watts or 116.64 kilowatts of energy. Additionally, the Reilly Memorial Rink was equipped with 170 panels at 540 watts per panel for a total of 91,800 watts or 91.8 kilowatt of energy.
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