Stimulus-funded projects energize the solar industry

A little over three years ago, Nexamp, a clean energy company, had three employees and a lot of interest in making its mark on the solar industry in Massachusetts.

Today, Nexamp has 70 employees thanks in large part to a stimulus-funded contract the company won in partnership with Taunton-based Florence Electric to install 13 solar array projects across the state at public water and wastewater treatment facilities totaling 4.1 MegaWatts of solar installation.

"Stimulus is keeping the solar industry thriving," says Will Thompson, Nexamp's senior vice president in charge of construction.

The contracts, worth approximately $20 million in Recovery Act funding, represent the state's largest-ever award for solar installation at public facilities.

Nexamp was founded by Dan Leary, a former Army captain, in his garage. He was soon joined by Thompson, who was also a captain in the army and another employee. The company grew slowly but once it secured the stimulus contract - the largest solar procurement in the Commonwealth's history - its growth rate exploded.

"It's great we can give these jobs to all these people," says Thompson. "We are supporting 70 people and their families. These are very qualified people and they could not get jobs."

Stimulus' Impact: Public Works

$32 million for solar projects 114 solar projects funded 20.7 megawatts of solar installation

Thompson also likes the fact that those jobs mean that his company can provide solar energy to towns and cities in Massachusetts. "We are proud to provide these arrays, give back to the taxpayers, give to the local economy and stimulate our business."

One of Nexamp and Florence Electric's smaller projects in Easton involves a 49.6 kilowatt system. Among the larger projects are a 485-kilowatt system in Chelmsford and an approximately 790-kilowatt system in Hyannis. The companies will also install what will be the state's largest public solar project in Pittsfield. That project involves a 1,584 kilowatt (1.58-megawatt) system. Nexamp and Florence Electric will also install solar systems in other locations across the state such as Ashland, Fairhaven, Falmouth, Holden, Marlborough, Blackstone/Millbury, East Freetown, and Townsend. Combined, the projects are expected to save the facilities nearly $650,000 per year by cutting conventional energy use by approximately 4.5 million kilowatt hours annually--roughly equal to the electricity needed to power 600 households per year.

For Eric Aubrey, Nexamp's operations manager, all this stimulus-funded activity means he now has a job. Nearly a year ago, Aubrey was laid off from his job at Turner Construction when a project for Harvard University fell apart. Now he is not only working in a company that he loves but he is also doing a job that he feels is meaningful.

"This is job is something I can believe in, which is really great," he says.

Stimulus at Work: Impact on Nexamp

$20 million contract 4 megawatts of solar power 12 solar installations 9 subcontractors in MA 5 suppliers with MA offices 3 to 70 employees in 3 years, due in large part to stimulus contract

Thompson agrees. "When I hear people say jobs aren't being created in green energy, I know it's not true," he says. "We are getting people back to work."