Framingham Solar Canopies To Save $1.3 Million Each

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Two new state-funded solar projects will save two stakeholders over $1 million annually, officials said at a recent unveiling event.

Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony joined Framingham State University (FSU) President Nancy S. Niemi to celebrate FSU’s recently completed solar canopy, as well as a second new canopy a mile away at the Massachusetts State Police Framingham headquarters.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded FSU a grant of $436,000 and the State Police a grant of $317,900 to support the solar canopy projects, which will cut long-term energy costs for both organizations by more than $1.3 million and included charging ports for electric vehicles, officials said.

FSU’s 720-kilowatt DC solar canopy will reduce the campus’ long-term energy costs, provide covered parking for students, staff and visitors, and is part of the University’s long-term plan to transition its buildings off fossil fuels, officials said.

The project included charging for four electric vehicles and pre-wiring for an additional 10 parking spaces for future EV charging.

The new canopy will provide FSU with an estimated annual electricity savings of 800,000 kilowatt hours, and adds to the campus’ existing 182-kilowatt rooftop solar system. The FSU campus now has four solar arrays which together provide one megawatt of solar energy a year.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our other partners who supported this initiative,” said FSU President Nancy S. Niemi.

Niemi continued:

“At FSU, sustainability is not just a talking point—it is a core value. Our students, faculty, and staff have been vocal and passionate about the need to take real, measurable action to address climate change. As such, these solar canopies are more than an energy solution—they are a statement: A statement that we recognize the urgency of climate change and that institutions like ours must lead by example in the transition to a more sustainable world.”

In addition to the FSU canopy, the Massachusetts State Police celebrated its recently completed 374-kilowatt DC solar canopy at its Framingham headquarters.

The canopy will offer an annual electricity savings of 418,167 kilowatt hours and provide 31 percent of the facility’s annual electricity consumption.

The project also included charging for six 6 electric vehicles and pre-wiring for an additional 12 parking spaces for future EV charging. Local solar canopy installation is part of a larger statewide plan by the Massachusetts State Police to transition its buildings and fleet off fossil fuels, officials said.

The State Police joined DOER, FSU, PowerOptions Consortium, Solect Energy and other state and local officials for the ribbon cutting commemorating both canopies.

"The solar canopy at the Massachusetts State Police General Headquarters has allowed for the protection of our fleet and enabled us to be champions of sustainability,” said Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble. “We are grateful for the investment by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources that will allow the Massachusetts State Police to produce clean energy and be a model for sustainability across the Commonwealth.”