Small-scale alternative energy projects gain momentum in Massachusetts

http://ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2008/01/05/business/biz01.txt

The massive offshore wind farms proposed for Nantucket Sound and Buzzards Bay generate most of the headlines. But most of the progress in renewable energy in Massachusetts this year will be seen among much smaller turbine projects.

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative estimates that 10 wind turbine projects could be built and connected to the grid in 2008. Nearly all of them, however, are just one- or two-turbine projects. Still, when they’re complete, the 10 projects would double the number of wind turbine sites in the state.

An even smaller-scale approach is being advocated for solar power. State officials last month expanded a rebate program, setting aside up to $68 million to help businesses and homeowners pay for solar arrays that would be connected to their factories, warehouses, stores and homes.

‘‘In general, the pace for these smaller projects is picking up,’’ said Warren Leon, director of the Renewable Energy Trust at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. ‘‘There are more smaller projects that are close to construction.’’

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