New Solar Array at Carlson Orchards
Frank Carlson cuts the ribbon for the Carlson Orchard Solar Array
This year’s harvest has been a bountiful one. At Carlson Orchards, they’ve sown a 220 KV solar array and will reap the savings throughout the next 20 years. In August, I was privileged to attend the ribbon cutting and witness the accomplishments of the 7 month project. The array will account for about 60% of their electrical needs, if estimates are correct. Carlson Orchards is located in the scenic Massachusetts town of Harvard. Frank Carlson and his staff run a local farm business with all the challenges and victories that go along with it. This array should prove to be a victory for them and the environment. They put their own time and money into it, but thanks to the hard work of the project manager, Symantha Gates, they received grants from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. These investments will turn the sun’s energy into a way to keep our local peaches, apples, and other perishable products available to us throughout the winter; something we all take for granted due to shipping from warmer climes. It’s going to be a win-win situation with the orchard’s lower electrical grid draw and lower power bills to keep the farm in the black.
Being a scientist at heart, I was very interested to hear the details of the solar array. Here is a video I created of the lead engineer, Newell Thomas from Lighthouse Electrical
discussing the process.
Solar Orchard 2010 from Barb O'Connell on Vimeo.
After viewing the video, please visit these sites and articles for additional details:
- Carlson Orchards
- Harvard Press April 30th 2010
- Mass.gov Commonwealth Conversations: Energy Smarts October 14th 2010
And above all…. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMS! 
Carlson Orchard 220 KV Solar Array
Carlson Orchard Solar Array Inverters