Overview
The Blackstone Community Solar project expands access to clean, affordable energy for residents and businesses in Massachusetts while supporting grid reliability through integrated battery storage. Sited on preserved agricultural land, the project enables dual land use—allowing the landowner to lease several acres for renewable energy development while offering additional acreage to the community to support community-shared agriculture programs. This project demonstrates how community solar can deliver environmental, economic, and local community benefits simultaneously.
Challenge
As electricity demand increases and grid constraints become more pronounced, communities require energy solutions that provide more than just generation. The challenge in Blackstone was to deliver a large-scale community solar project that could:
- Expand access to renewable energy for local subscribers
- Preserve agricultural land and minimize site disruption
- Support grid reliability during peak demand periods
- Provide long-term, stable revenue for landowners
Solution
Catalyze developed a 6.3 MW ground-mounted community solar array paired with a 3 MW/6.4 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Blackstone, Massachusetts.
The integrated battery system stores excess solar generation and discharges energy when it is most needed, improving grid performance and maximizing the value of renewable energy. Catalyze led all phases of the project, including development, engineering, financing, construction, and ongoing operations.
Result
The Blackstone Community Solar project delivers clean energy and long-term value to the community while strengthening local energy infrastructure.
Key outcomes include:
- Affordable solar energy for community solar subscribers
- Enhanced grid resilience through integrated battery storage
- Annual lease revenue for landowners over a 30-year term
- Productive use of preserved agricultural land
This project highlights Catalyze’s ability to deliver scalable, community-focused renewable energy solutions that support both local economies and state-level decarbonization goals.
