SEPA
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
OPPORTUNITIES
NAVAL WEAPONS INDUSTRIAL
RESERVE PLANT
Bedford, Massachusetts
January 2014
Prepared For:
Department of the Navy
Prepared and Funded By;¦
EPA New England

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Study Purpose		1
Introduction		1
Site Background		2
Site Suitability		4
Solar Energy Resource		4
Site Infrastructure		5
Renewable Energy Context for Federal Agencies		5
Remedy Compatibility		6
Technical Assessment		8
Ground-mounted PV System		8
Solar Technologies		8
Potential PV Solar Energy System Sizes		9
Potential PV Array Output		9
Potential Issues with Glint and Glare		10
Incentives and Financing Opportunities		11
Federal Incentives		11
State Incentives		11
Utility Incentives		12
PV Solar Technology Costs		13
Findings/Next Steps		13
Sources		14

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STUDY PURPOSE
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) places a high priority on the development of
renewable energy (RE) projects and green remediation as part of addressing formerly contaminated
properties.Through efforts such as the Superfund Redevelopment and RE-Powering America's
Land initiatives, EPA works to identify Superfund, Brownfield and mining sites with RE development
potential. EPA provides technical resources for site managers, developers, facility energy managers
and other stakeholders interested in using RE at these sites.
The purpose of this pre-feasibility study, prepared by EPA New England in cooperation with the
Department of the Navy (Navy), is to evaluate the possibility of a large-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar
project at the former Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant Bedford (NWIRP Bedford). Because of
the proximity of NWIRP Bedford to Hanscom Air Field, there is potential concern about glare that a
large-scale PV solar project might produce. As a result, this study also summarizes findings from a
review of research on studies examining the potential impacts from glint and glare resulting from
the operation of large PV solar systems. In addition to this study, EPA has prepared a companion
assessment that summarizes the extent to which RE, specifically solar and possibly wind, can be used
on site to offset electricity demand from ongoing ground water treatment activities underway to
address contaminated ground water in the northern portion of NWIRP Bedford.
INTRODUCTION
EPA initiated this study to explore opportunities for increasing the use of RE technologies at
NWIRP Bedford, as part of EPA's interest in encouraging RE development on current and formerly
contaminated land and mining sites.Through EPA New England, the Navy received technical
assistance to conduct a pre-feasibility assessment of the opportunities for using PV solar energy
technologies at NWIRP Bedford.
There are some inherent challenges in evaluating different PV solar energy technologies: they have
different operating parameters and costs; projects occur at locations with different RE resources; they
displace different energy types with different competing costs of energy; they qualify for different
incentives; and they meet different objectives.This study is a first-level screening assessment
to enable the Navy, or the United States Air Force (Air Force) which operates a nearby air field, to
establish priorities in pursuing PV solar energy project opportunities. A more detailed technical
engineering and economic feasibility study will be needed prior to final solar PV project decision-
making at NWIRP Bedford.
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SITE BACKGROUND
NWIRP Bedford is located on a small
hill. A portion of the installation (the
Components Laboratory building) is
located on the top of the hill and another
portion is located at the bottom of the
hill. Surroundings include undeveloped
woodland and wetlands areas to the
west and north, and a residential area
and additional wooded wetlands to the
east and northeast. Other uses abutting
NWIRP Bedford include a large indoor
sports complex to the west and Hanscom
Field to the south.
¦NWIRP
Bedford
NWIRP Bedford is a 46-acre inactive United States naval facility located in Middlesex County in
Bedford, Massachusetts (Figure 1). The installation is located immediately north of Hanscom
Field. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) currently operates Hanscom Field. However,
the Air Force operates various military-related infrastructure near Hanscom Field.The military
also occasionally uses Hanscom Field to support operations. Hanscom Air Force Base is located
directly south of Hanscom Field.
Figure 1: Historic map showing NWIRP Bedford facility boundary
NWIRP Bedford was historically operated
by the Raytheon Company of Waltham,
Massachusetts. The mission of NWIRP
Bedford was to design, fabricate and
test prototype weapons equipment such
as missile guidance and control systems. Raytheon workers historically conducted activities at
NWIRP Bedford in two main structures: the Components Laboratory building north of Hartwell
Road, and the Flight Test Facility (also referred to as the South Flight Test Area) to the south and
adjacent to Hanscom Field. The Navy currently controls the NWIRP Bedford property and Massport
owns the western part of the South Flight Test Area. Raytheon conducted its operations at NWIRP
Bedford from the mid-1950s through December 2000. The facility has remained vacant since that
time except for the Navy's operation of a ground water pump-and-treat system in the northwest
portion of NWIRP Bedford.
EPA New England became involved at NWIRP Bedford because of multiple areas of contaminated
ground water and soil. EPA listed NWIRP Bedford on the Superfund National Priorities List in
1994. EPA listed nearby Hanscom Field/Hanscom Air Force Base as a Superfund site the same
year. The Navy is the lead agency for investigations and cleanup at NWIRP Bedford, with formal
oversight by EPA via a federal facilities agreement. There has been significant cleanup progress
g at NWIRP Bedford since 1994.The Navy has been operating a ground water pump-and-treat
q system (Figure 2) to address a large trichloroethylene (TCE) plume located in the northern
™ portion of NWIRP Bedford since 1997. The Navy continues to operate the system while preparing
§§ to implement the remaining parts of the cleanup remedy for theTCE plume. EPA anticipates
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Figure 2: NWIRP Bedford parcel boundary, Superfund sub-sites and Town of Bedford zoning
m
Groundwater*'
Treatment ¦
V"
Legend
L_j Plant and Parcel Boundary
Residential BZoning
Residential C Zoning
Industrial B Zoning
|	| Superfund Site Area 1
~ Superfund Site Area 2
Superfund Site Area 3
[ | Superfund Site Area 4
RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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that the pump-and-treat system will need to operate into the 2040s. Under a Memorandum
of Understanding between the Navy and the Air Force, the Air Force is using its ground water
pump-and-treat system located on Hanscom Field to address contaminated ground water
underneath the Flightiest Facility.Table 1 summarizes the different sub-site areas within the
NWIRP Bedford Superfund site and their cleanup statuses.
Table 1: NWIRP Bedford Superfund Site: Site Area Cleanup Approach and Statuses
Site 1
Site 2
Site 3
Site 4



Old Incinerator Ash Disposal Area
No action needed
Not applicable
Components Laboratory Fuel Tank
No action needed
Not applicable
Chlorinated Solvent Ground
water Plume
Ground water pump-and-
treat
Bioremediation and
monitored natural
attenuation (MNA)
In situ thermal treatment removal
action conducted in 2003
Ground water pump-and-treat
system underway since 1997
Bioremediation and MNA being
planned
Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene,
and Xylenes (BTEX) Plume
Subsurface soil excavation
and MNA
In situ thermal treatment removal
action conducted in 2003
Subsurface soil excavation and MNA
implementation underway
Flight Test Facility (Area immediately
north of Hanscom Field)
Ground water pump-and-
treat by Air Force
Underway
SITE SUITABILITY
The most important location-related requirements for PV solar energy projects at a site are
the availability of a suitable solar energy resource, suitable local topography, compatible site
infrastructure and location, and
transmission access. In addition,	Figure 3: Massachusetts solar resource map
at formerly impaired properties,
compatibility with remedy
components is also an important
consideration.
Solar Energy Resource
Given NWIRP Bedford's location,
topography and available solar
energy resources, solar energy is
likely the most promising renewable
resource for the installation of a
utility-scale project. Altitude, latitude,
time of day, time of year and local
•: >m?=l
:ostationary
ecipitable water vapor,
RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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weather conditions can all affect direct solar radiation levels at a location. Based upon data available
from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Massachusetts has an average solar resource
between 5.0 and 5.5 of kilowatt hours per square meter per day (kWh/m2/day), which indicates a
good but not great solar resource (Figure 3).
Site Infrastructure
Unused Paved Space and Open-space Areas
There is a considerable amount of minimal gradient, unused paved space and open-space that could be
used to support a large-scale PV solar energy project at NWIRP Bedford.These areas are located to the
west and southeast of the Components Laboratory building, as well to the east and south of the Flight
Test Facility hangar. Some obstructions are present, notably from trees and the main buildings. However,
the largest areas suitable for large-scale PV development generally have minimal to no obstructions.
Utilities
Electrical power is supplied to NWIRP Bedford by NSTAR, an
operating company of Northeast Utilities, to power the ground
water pump-and treat facility operating in the northwest portion
of the installation (Figure 4). NSTAR also supplies natural gas to
the ground water pump-and treat plant for heating purposes.
During operations, NWIRP Bedford was served by three-phase
power and there are three-phase lines along Hartwell Road. An
interconnection study would be needed to determine the best
way to interconnect any PV system to the local grid.
Transportation
Hartwell Road, a paved road, is the main access road to NWIRP Bedford. Hartwell Road is located
about three miles northwest of the Interstate 95-State Road 4 interchange.
Figure 4: Ground water treatment
building at NWIRP Bedford
RENEWABLE ENERGY CONTEXT IFOR FEDERAL AGENCIES
In recent years, federal agencies have taken an interest in RE development for a variety of reasons,
including a desire to reduce and stabilize electricity costs and reduce agency greenhouse gas
emissions. Recognition of the value of RE has led to the creation of federal RE mandates that have
provided federal agencies with concrete RE procurement targets, driving the development of new RE
projects at federal facilities. Likewise, aggressive state-based renewable energy portfolio standards
have created important market demand for RE and driven continued investment in RE projects.
The Department of Defense (DOD) could have interest in on-site RE projects at NWIRP Bedford in
order to meet goals set by executive orders and requirements set by legislation.Three main policies
encourage new RE deployment by federal agencies: the Energy Policy Act of 2005; Executive Order
13423 "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management; and the
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.	£
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In addition, in 2013, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) launched a project
to help Massachusetts' military bases identify and implement energy solutions that lower base
RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
5

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operating costs and enhance energy security. Nearby Hanscom Air Force Base is included on the state's
list for evaluation under the project. An RE project serving Hanscom Air Force Base could potentially utilize
NWIRP Bedford and help DOD and the state meet their RE goals.
REMEDY COMPATIBILITY
Three locations at NWIRP Bedford are considered potentially viable locations for ground-mounted
PV (Figure 5). These include the unused paved areas to the west and southeast of the Components
Laboratory building and the unused paved/open space areas to the east and south of the Flight Test
Facility hangar. NWIRP Bedford includes four designated sub-sites within the larger NWIRP Bedford
Superfund site boundary: Sites 1 -4 (Figure 2).Two sub-site areas (Site 3 and Site 4) are subject to
institutional controls.
The unpaved areas west of the Components Laboratory building fall within Site 3. The institutional
controls for Site 3 are required to prevent exposure to contaminants of concern (COCs) in ground
water to protect human health until remedial actions have achieved remedial action objectives
across the site.They call for:
Preventing use of Site 3 ground water as a drinking water supply until COC concentrations in
ground water achieve cleanup levels.
Preventing occupancy of current and future Site 3 structures until COC concentrations allow
for industrial use of the property.
Preventing residential development of the Site 3 area until COC concentrations allow for
unlimited use and unrestricted exposure.
Maintaining the integrity of the current or future remedial and monitoring systems, such as
extraction and treatment wells, monitoring wells and in-situ enhanced bioremediation.
Neither the institutional controls nor the other remedy components are likely to have any significant
impact on placement of ground-mounted PV solar energy systems within Site 3.
The Flight Test Facility, while within the site boundary, does not fall within a designated Superfund
sub-site.The Air Force is treating low-level ground water contamination beneath this area via its
ground water pump-and-treat system at the base. It is unclear whether any institutional controls
currently apply to this area of the site. It is assumed that on-going treatment of ground water would
not have any impact on placement of ground-mounted PV solar energy systems within this area.
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Figure 5: NWIRP Bedford potential solar areas and related information
Miles
Legend
J Plant and Parcel Boundary	^
o
r#1 Potential Solar Area	o
^ m	1	i	1
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TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT
Ground-mounted PV System
A ground-mounted PV system can be an in-ground
system using poured concrete foundations or metal
piers driven into the ground. Ballast-weighted
mounting methods (Figure 6) rely on the weight
of the PV modules, the mounting racks and
extra ballasts if necessary to meet wind-loading
design considerations. Wind-loading conditions
- overturning, uplifting and sliding - require
consideration when using a ballast-weighted system.
Solar Technologies
A variety of technologies capture or convert sunlight
into useful energy. Standard PV systems include PV
modules (panels), inverter and balance-of-system
components. The major types of commercially
available solar technologies are PV, high concentrating
PV (HCPV) and concentrating solar power (CSP).
Figure 6: A ballast-weighted system using pre-
cast concrete slabs in Barnstable, Massachusetts
(source: NEXAMP)
CSP systems typically require large, contiguous land areas and significant amounts of water, but
offer the advantage of being able to store energy. PV and HCPV systems, in contrast, can be located
on smaller land areas. However, they do not have utility-scale storage capacity. Because of the solar
resource requirements as well as the amount of land needed for a cost-effective CSP plant, this
study found CSP technologies are not a viable option at NWIRP Bedford. HCPV technologies face
a limitation as well; they cannot concentrate diffuse light to create electricity. Diffuse light occurs
in cloudy and overcast conditions. With an average of 200 sunny days per year at the site, an HCPV
system may not receive enough direct sunlight to make HCPV technologically or financially viable.
The only commercially
available solar-related
technology evaluated further as
part of this study was solar PV.
The type of PV material used in
the module affects the ability
of the modules to convert
solar energy to electrical
energy.The most common
and widely used PV module
is crystalline silicon. This type
of PV module has a 25-30
year lifespan and an annual
a degradation rate of under
qq 1 percent.These modules	Combiner
9S convert solar energy at a rate	Box
z: between 12-18 percent.	Figure 7: Solar PV ground-mounted array diagram (source: NREL)
PV Modules
Inverter
Utility Grid
Transformer
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There are two types of crystalline panels: mono and poly. Monocrystalline panels are made from
a large silicon crystal. Monocrystalline panels are efficient in converting sunlight into electricity;
however they are expensive to manufacture and are fragile. Polycrystalline panels are a commonly
used type of solar panel. They are less efficient than monocrystalline solar panels but are also less
expensive to produce.This type of panel consists of multiple smaller silicon crystals and looks like
shattered glass.
Solar PV panels may be fixed, or mounted on single-axis or dual-axis trackers.1 PV panels mounted
on a single- or dual-axis tracking system capture more sunlight than fixed panel systems, however
they are more costly to construct. This analysis focused on a fixed-panel system because the cost of a
tracking system could be up 25 percent higher than a fixed system, and the available sunlight in the
potential solar PV project locations will likely be insufficient to make up the cost.
Potential PV Solar Energy System Sizes
NWIRP Bedford has three paved/unpaved areas that could potentially support ground-mounted PV
systems: the two paved areas west and southeast of the Components Laboratory building (Areas 1
and 2) and the paved/open space area south and east of the Flight Test Facility hangar (Area 3). Each
of the three potential solar project areas is currently unused, relatively flat and relatively isolated from
other commercial, industrial or residential activity.
Ground-mounted PV systems require about 3.5-5 acres per megawatt (MW) of capacity. Table
2 illustrates the range of scales at which a utility-scale PV project could be developed at NWIRP
Bedford. It illustrates that it could be possible to place PV systems with up to 2.8 MW of generating
capacity on the hypothetical Areas 1,2 and 3 (Figure 5), depending upon the type of PV technology
and efficiency of the panels.
Table 2: Potential PV Solar Energy Systems
Solar Area
Description
Acres

1
West of Components Laboratory building
2.7
00
o
l
LD
o
2
Southeast of Components Laboratory building
1.3
o
I
m
o
3
South and East of Flight Test Facility Hangar
5.6
UD
t—1
i
t—I
t—1
1+2+3
Combined Areas
9.6
1.9-2.8
Potential PV Array Output
The table below estimates the potential annual energy production from the hypothetical PV solar
projects presented in Table 2.The potential array performance for the fixed arrays was calculated
using PVWatts - a performance calculator for grid-connected PV solar energy systems created by
NREL. PVWatts is a tool used to develop preliminary electricity output estimates for grid-connected
PV systems within the United States based on historical solar data.
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RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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Table 3: Potential Annual PV System Output in Identified PV Project Areas
Solar Area
Description
PV-Fixed Array
Size (MW)
PV-Fixed Array
Estimated Annual Output
(Megawatt Hour (MWh))
1


622-995
2


373-497
3


1,368 -1,990
1+2+3
Combined Areas
1.9-2.8
2,363 - 3,482
Potential Issues with Glint and Glare
Issues with glint and glare from solar PV panels could potentially affect the siting of RE projects
at NWIRP Bedford because of their potential proximity to Hanscom Field, especially Area 3. Solar
installations are operating at several airports including megawatt-sized solar facilities covering
multiple acres.This analysis found 15 studies published between 2009 and 2012 that examine the
effect of glint and glare from solar technologies. Approximately half these studies examine the effect
of glint and glare on nearby airfields. The studies consistently mention that panels are designed
to absorb energy and light, so reflectivity should be relatively modest and any glare is likely to be
comparable to other sources of potential glare (lakes, coated glass).
One study found that PV systems provide less glare than other solar technologies and have been
placed close to or on airfields, including a system on the southern approach corridor to Nellis Air
Force Base in Nevada. Another study found no evidence of any reported problems of glare from
existing solar energy projects around the world affecting pilots. Moreover, the research could
not identify any cases of accidents caused by glare in United Kingdom or United States accident
databases. Another study found that the potential for glare from flat plate PV systems is similar
to that of still water and not expected to be a hazard to air navigation. Finally, a Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) study involving interviews with airport project managers found that,"either
significant glare is not occurring during times of operation or if glare is occurring, it is not a negative
effect and is a minor part of the landscape to which pilots and tower personnel are exposed."2
Currently the FAA has no specific standards for airport solar facilities and potential glare, however, as
of June 26,2012, the FAA is reviewing the reflectivity section of its technical guidance for evaluating
solar technologies on airports based on new information and field experience.
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^ 2 FAA. Technical Guidance for Evaluating Selected SolarTechnologies on Airports. 2010. http://www.faa.gov/airports/
environmental/
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INCENTIVES AND FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES
Federal Incentives
Currently, federal solar incentives are embedded in the federal income tax code, so entities such as
the Navy or state that have no income tax liability cannot directly access these incentives if they own
and operate solar systems.These tax incentives (the 30 percent investment tax credit and accelerated
depreciation) can reduce installed project costs by well over 40 percent for a private owner. Private
owners can access the tax-based incentives and that is one reason for the frequency of private
ownership of solar projects on public lands and buildings. The Navy or Air Force could indirectly
participate in the federal tax incentives by signing a power purchase agreement or other contracting
arrangement to purchase power from a privately owned RE project located at the site.
In the second half of 2013, DOE Federal Energy Management Program intends to issue a funding
opportunity announcement potentially titled "Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation
Technologies."This would provide direct funding to federal agencies for the development of capital
projects and other initiatives to increase the energy efficiency and RE investments at agency facilities.
The funding will include RE, including solar technologies.3
State Incentives
There are also incentives at the state-level to reduce the cost of a solar facility.
Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and Renewable Energy Certificates
Massachusetts'renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) requires each regulated electricity
supplier/provider serving retail customers in the state to include 15 percent of qualifying renewables
in the electricity it sells by December 31,2020.4The state significantly expanded the RPS in 2008,
establishing two separate renewable standards - a standard for Class I renewables (new systems) and
a standard for Class II renewables (existing systems operating before December 31,1997).
Retail electric suppliers are required to document compliance with RPS in annual filings submitted to
DOER. Suppliers can meet their compliance obligations by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates
(RECs)5 from qualified generators, making Annual Compliance Payments (ACPs) to the Massachusetts
Clean Energy Center, or both.
In order to determine the prices for RECs, DOER sets an ACP rate.This rate serves as a ceiling price and
exists as a penalty suppliers must pay if they do not meet their RPS compliance obligation in a given
year. Essentially, for every megawatt hour (MWh) they are short of meeting their obligation, utilities
must provide an alternative payment to DOER.This acts as an incentive for retail electric suppliers
to purchase RECs from qualified projects for something less than the ACP in order to meet their
compliance obligation and avoid ACP payments.
	
3	For more information, see Grants.gov: www.arants.gov.	g
4	This does not include municipal light districts.	q
5	RECs represent the positive environmental attributes associated with this clean energy production. One REC is created m
each time a qualified system generates 1 MWh of electricity. In order for suppliers to meet their compliance obligations
as set by the RPS, they must purchase a number of RECs equal to the percentage for that particular compliance year. RECs g
are created on the New England Power Pool Generation Information System (NEPOOL GIS).
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RPS Solar Carve-Out and SRECs
In 2011, DOER implemented final rules for the state's Solar Carve-Out program, which is the portion
of the required RE under the Class I Standard that must come from qualified, in-state, interconnected
solar facilities. The state intends for the Solar Carve-Out program to support about 400 MW of solar
facilities in Massachusetts. Solar RECs (SRECs) represent the renewable attributes of solar generation,
bundled in minimum denominations of 1 MWh of production. Massachusetts'Solar Carve-Out
provides a means for SRECs to be created and verified, and allows electric suppliers to buy these
certificates in order to meet their solar RPS requirements. All electric suppliers must use SRECs to
demonstrate compliance with the RPS.
Market availability primarily determines the price of SRECs. The state is achieving its goal of 400 MW of
solar facilities in Massachusetts much faster than anticipated. Once the state reaches its goal, and the
opt-in term for all solar facilities has expired, SRECs can no longer be generated. Solar facilities will at
that time generate RECs and will be able to sell those for compliance under the Class I standard.
In June 2013, DOER filed an Emergency Regulation to establish rules by which DOER intends to
complete the current RPS Solar Carve-Out program. DOER is actively developing policy to maintain
the growth of the solar PV market in Massachusetts after the 400 MW cap of the current RPS Solar
Carve-Out is reached. According to DOER, the anticipated SREC-II program will create a new separate
SREC market with separate new compliance obligations on retail electricity suppliers.The new Solar
Carve-Out program will set a program cap of 1200 MW (or correspondingly less if the SREC-I cap
exceeds 400 MW). Financial incentives for solar projects will adjust as the market grows.
Commonwealth Solar II Rebates
Commonwealth Solar II, offered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, provides rebates for
the installation of PV systems at residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and public facilities.
Commonwealth Solar II rebates are available to electricity customers served by Massachusetts
investor-owned electric utilities that include NSTAR. For all systems, rebates are calculated by
multiplying the per watt incentive (base incentive plus adders) by the nameplate capacity of the
system, up to 5 kilowatts (kW); projects are eligible for rebates only if their total capacity is under 15
kW.The applicable rebate levels for commercial PV systems include a base incentive of $0.40 per watt
and an adder for Massachusetts-based company components of $0.05 per watt.
Net Metering
In Massachusetts, the state's investor-owned utilities must offer net metering. Net metering allows
customers of certain electric distribution companies to generate their own electricity in order to
offset their electricity usage. All customer classes are eligible for net metering.The Massachusetts
Department of Public Utilities regulates net metering. Net metering regulations would be applicable
if part of the system was used to power the on-site ground water treatment system near the
Components Laboratory building, or if generation from the system was used to offset usage at
another location, a process referred to as virtual net metering. Under state and NSTAR rules one can
either net meter or participate in the REC system. If a host customer participates in net metering, the
g host customer will retain the right to the RECs, but the host customer cannot sell them.
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^ Utility Incentives
W NSTAR is the private utility serving NWIRP Bedford. The utility does not offer incentives or rebates for solar
projects beyond what is offered by the State of Massachusetts through the state's net metering regulations.
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PV SOLAR TECHNOLOGY COSTS
A typical ground-mounted solar energy project in Massachusetts could be expected to vary between
$3.00 and $4.00 per installed watt depending on the size and complexity of the system, the type of
technology, the type of tracking system and local labor rates.6 Approximately 60 percent of their cost
is materials; the balance is labor, engineering, environmental, permitting and other non PV-system
related costs. Operation and maintenance costs are estimated at $20/kW/year.
Utility-scale PV solar systems are generally considered to be systems at least 2 MW in size, and
would be expected to be at the lower end of the cost range. Table 5 highlights estimated costs for a
PV fixed-axis system built upon the available area at NWIRP Bedford. Because none of the areas by
themselves could support a system 2 MW in size or larger, cost estimates are assumed at the higher
end of the installed cost scale.
Table 4: PV System Cost by Solar Area at $4/Watt
Solar Area
PV-Fixed Array Size
(MW)
PV-Fixed Array Estimated
Annual Output (MWh)
PV-Fixed Array Cost($)
(in millions)
1


2.0-3.2
2


1.2-1.6
3


4.4-6.4
1+2+3
1.9-2.8
2,363 - 3,482
7.6-11.2
FINDINGS/NEXT STEPS
The following are findings and next steps that could potentially be undertaken if there is interest in
further pursuing a large-scale RE project at NWIRP Bedford.
NWIRP Bedford could potentially support utility-scale PV solar development.
PV solar project size could range from 0.5 to 2.8 MW.
•	Solar development would be unlikely to interfere with current or future site remedies.
Potential issues with glint and glare will need to be reviewed with FAA and Hanscom Field.
However, glint and glare studies generally suggest that glint and glare should not affect flight
navigation.
•	The ability to use incentives and obtain a long-term power purchase agreement would be
critical for the economic viability of a utility-scale project at NWIRP Bedford.
•	The Air Force, which operates the nearby Hanscom Air Force Base, is operating under laws
and executive orders that mandate or encourage RE at federal facilities. PV solar development
projects at NWIRP Bedford could potentially enable the Air Force to meet the federal require-
ments or goals for RE use.
•	An RE project at NWIRP Bedford affiliated with Hanscom Air Force Base could also help the
state achieve its goals of implementing energy solutions at Massachusetts-based military
bases.
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6 Solar system cost estimates were adapted from the November 2012 NREL report, "Photovoltaic (PV) Pricing Trends:
Historical, Recent, and Near-Term Projections."http://emp.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/lbnl-6019e.pdf
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SOURCES
EPA. Re-Powering America's Land, http://www.epa.gov/oswercpa/index.htm
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program. 2012. Solar Energy Development on
Department of Defense Installations in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, http://www.serdp.org/
EPA. Regional Site Summary Web Page. Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant. Bedford, Massachusetts.
http://www.epa.gov/region1/cleanup/index.html
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|| http://plan.scambs.gov.Uk/swiftlg/MediaTemp/1121414-374831 .pdf
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RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
OPPORTUNITIES AT
NAVAL WEAPONS INDUSTRIAL
RESERVE PLANT
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency

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