Alteris Renewables, the Bristol-based solar and wind company, has moved 16 staffers to Providence.
Members of the firm’s finance department and call center, along with its regional staff, opened new office at 28 Wolcott St. two weeks ago. Known as a “net-zero” building, the office draws its electricity from solar panels mounted on the roof and employees even grow their own tomatoes, basil and squash in building planters.
Wind Business President Bob Chew said it made sense for the green-minded company to operate from a building featuring green technology. “We’re sort of walking the talk,” he said. “We’ve always tried to be an environmentally responsible company.”
Chew said company executives also appreciated Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline’s focus on green initiatives and the nearby location of the Amtrak train station. Company officials coming from Alteris offices in Connecticut and Boston now take the train, reducing driving time and their personal carbon footprints.
The office move comes as Alteris is expanding its wind business outside the Northeast. This week it finished installing a 100-kilowatt wind turbine at Appalachian State University in western North Carolina. The project marked the first wind turbine contract for the company outside of the Northeast.
“That was the first time we were able to spread our wings and what was exciting is it went very well for us,” Chew said.
The company is also planning the installation of the same turbine model, the Northwind 100, at Bolton Valley Resort in northern Vermont. Other turbine projects on the horizon include the installation of a turbine in New Haven, 24 turbines at Quinnipiac University and two demonstration projects elsewhere in Connecticut.
