Springfield recycling facility using new solar panels

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Solar panels were unveiled Thursday at the Springfield Municipal Recycling Facility located at 84 Birnie Avenue.

The panels are on the roof of the facility and, according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection , are intended to increase the use of renewable energy, reduce the demand for electricity generated from fossil fuels, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

The project cost about $600,000 that was paid for using stimulus dollars and renewable energy bonds.

There are a number of other projects like this across the state.

“Whether it’s at this facility, universities and colleges, prisons, and other facilities we’ve been able to install close to four megawatts of solar PV across the Commonwealth,” said Mark Sylvia, the Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources.

The panels are estimated to save the facility $22,000 a year in reduced energy costs. According to Sylvia, the payback will be immediate, when you consider there were no out-of-pocket expenses.