Newton Community Farm Employs Solar Power Panels for Crop Cultivation

Through the utilization of solar panels, the farm is now able to cultivate crops and power various activities using clean energy. The recently installed solar array is expected to produce an estimated annual output of 13,291 kWh, along with 16 kWh of backup battery storage.

The installation of a 10.8kW solar panel array on the barn situated at 303 Nahanton St. has been successfully completed by Newton Community Farm.

Through a collaborative effort involving the city of Newton, Newton Community Farm, Resonant Energy, and ACE Solar, solar panels have been successfully installed to provide renewable energy for the farm's operations. This initiative empowers the farm to engage in crop cultivation and power diverse activities while relying on clean and sustainable energy sources.

Since May 6, the new system has been fully operational, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Massachusetts' Agriculture Commissioner Ashley Randle, farm representatives, and elected officials. The event served as a joyful celebration of the farm's newly installed solar system.

The solar project at Newton Community Farm represents the culmination of years of dedicated effort and perseverance by the farm's staff, volunteers, board of directors, and loyal supporters.

"In our pursuit of sustainable farming practices, we strive to serve as a role model for the community. By operating on solar power, we not only minimize our carbon footprint but also fulfill our responsibility as custodians of this magnificent open space, which happens to be the last functioning farm in Newton," expressed Sue Bottino, Executive Director at Newton Community Farm, as stated in a news release.

Discussions regarding the installation of solar panels on the south-facing barn roof date back to 2019, when Newton Community Farm initially partnered with Resonant Energy to assess the feasibility and conduct a financial analysis for the solar project. The expenses associated with the solar array are predominantly funded through a grant from the Mass Department of Agriculture's Climate Smart Agriculture Program.

Designed to meet the electricity requirements of Newton Community Farm, the newly installed solar array boasts an approximate annual production of 13,291 kWh, complemented by 16 kWh of backup battery storage. This configuration enables the farm to operate entirely on sustainable energy, effectively offsetting their reliance on traditional power sources.

"We feel privileged to have been chosen by the City of Newton for the installation of this system," expressed Nick Moore, Project Manager at ACE Solar, in the press release. "While we undertake numerous installations for residences, businesses, and municipalities of different scales, assisting a community driven by sustainability to transition to solar power holds a special significance for us."