Situation:
A leading advocate of solar generation in the Northeast for decades, National Grid has expanded their commitment to renewable energy with the construction of several solar arrays throughout Massachusetts. BOND was engaged to provide self-performed civil infrastructure services for the Dorchester Solar Power Project, the largest of National Grid’s solar efforts. 4,466 solar panels were installed on the 34-acre former brownfield site of manufactured gas plant (MGP) adjacent to National Grid’s landmark liquefied natural gas (LNG) tank. BOND’s crews completed all civil, site, and concrete work for the 1.2 megawatt PV array.
Challenges:
- Safe disposal of contaminated soils due to the site’s former use as an MGP plant
- Work completed adjacent to the busy I-93 corridor in the Greater Boston area
- Fast-track, three-month schedule to minimize disruption
Solutions:
- Close coordination with National Grid’s Community Relations representatives to develop and enforce noise, dust, safety, and traffic mitigation plans
- Development of a contaminated soils handling plan, including identification of an off-site disposal location
Results:
- Successful delivery of National Grid’s largest solar array in Massachusetts that delivers 1600 MWh worth of energy per year
- Completed within a condensed schedule with no disruption to adjacent highway or Commercial Point Gas Plant
- Positive environmental impact through the reduction of 4,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide, 1,800 pounds of nitrous oxide, and 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide over a 30 year period
