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Brockton is well-positioned to serve as a
replicable solar city and brightfields model for
other municipalities nationwide that have the resources and stamina to
accept the challenge.. As an economically
distressed community with a population below 100,000 Brockton can inspire other
municipalities, demonstrating that through commitment and creativity, they
too can deploy this clean energy technology.
The Brownfields to Brightfields
project has been challenging, in terms of its complexity, the need to
garner and maintain broad-based support, the number of public and private
players involved, and the funding model. However, we have found that, for
those communities with the focus and stamina to undertake this project, the
payback is significant. A number of best practices will help ensure
success:
Community-based Project
From the start,
the Brownfields to Brightfields
project has cultivated widespread community support and involvement.
Soliciting input from the community – residents, businesses, and public
entities – ensures that the design of project components incorporate and
address community concerns, and ultimately that they will be successful
long after initial implementation.
Political Support
Our project has relied
on strong political support, on all levels – local, state, and federal. On
the state and federal level, we have been able to obtain funding, access to
technical expertise, and have obtained two home rule petitions (special
legislation), through the Massachusetts legislature that will establish a
precedent for developing major, long-term projects such as a solar Brightfield. On the local level, this project would not
have moved forward without the leadership and vigilance of the Mayor's
Office, City Council, Office of the City Planner and other key local
entities such as the Brockton
21 st Century Corporation and MetroSouth
Chamber of Commerce.
Multiple Funding Sources
For such a major
undertaking as a Brownfields to Brightfields project, it is crucial to develop a
funding plan that 1) incrementally supports the needs of the project as it
grows over time and 2) draws from multiple funding sources. As we move
forward into predevelopment and deployment, we will increasingly begin to
incorporate financing from the private sector as well as taking advantage
of public sector incentives.
Cost Effectiveness
Brockton's Brightfield
project realizes economies of scale due to its size. Whereas typical PV
installations cost an average of $10/watt, Brockton's large utility scale size
reduced the cost to about $7 per watt. Further, the City sought an
incentive of only $3/watt compared to the typical $5/watt.
Significant Feasibility Planning
Brockton obtained grants, involved numerous
partners, and spent a significant amount of time conducting feasibility
studies for all the major components of the project. This work has ensured
that our detailed plans are economically viable, palatable within the
community, and realistic from a technical perspective. The feasibility
studies form the basis for financing, vendor selection, marketing, training
and construction activities, ensuring that implementation of our solutions
occurs on-time, and on budget.
Partnership Approach
Last but not
least, we cannot overstress the importance of building a broad coalition of
partners. The Brockton Solar Champions Partnership has been instrumental in
garnering support for the project and will now be involved in project implementation,
ensuring long-term “ownership” of the project by the community.
My Personal Perspective
This website was developed
as part of a course that includes personal reflections and journal writing.
In providing feedback on my draft presentation, some members of the class
suggested I add my own "voice", or personal perspetive.
It is attached through the following link for those that are interested in
my view after over five years of Brightfield
advocacy.
About the Grove Street Site
Why a Solar Brightfield?
Project Goals and Objectives
Project Partners
Project Steps and Timeline
Barriers Encountered and Methods for Overcoming
Barriers
Phase I Proposal from Global Solar Team
Lessons Learned
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