North Smithfield 12.44-MW community solar project breaks ground

NORTH SMITHFIELD – A groundbreaking took place Wednesday for the King community solar project, the largest community solar project in the state, according to TurningPoint Energy and Nautilus Solar Energy LLC.

The project will be part of Rhode Island’s Community Net Metering Pilot Program. Community net metering allows for consumers to receive net metering credits via lease or ownership of an eligible energy-generating facility.

The two solar arrays that comprise the project abut a former landfill superfund site under long-term remedial response from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Projects [such as] this, which simultaneously clean up our land and make our economy more green, are the future of our state,” said Gov. Gina M. Raimondo in a statement. “I’m thrilled that once this array is complete, more than 3,000 Rhode Island households will have the option to use clean energy and save money.”

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The plant has a capacity of 12.44 megawatts and is expected to be operational in 2020. It was developed by TurningPoint and is now owned by Nautilus. It is being constructed by DEPCOM Power.

Nautilus and Arcadia Power are currently enrolling customers into the program online.

“We are grateful to the town of North Smithfield, EPA and [R.I. Department of Environmental Management] for their collaboration in paving the way for the largest community solar project in Rhode Island,” said Jim Rice, CEO of Nautilus, in a statement. “We are also appreciative of the hard work that our local partners provided to ensure the overall success of this project.”

Nautilus is headquartered in Summit, N.J., and is owned by the Power Energy Corp., a subsidiary of Power Corp. of Canada.