By CYNTHIA DRUMMOND Sun Staff Writer
RICHMOND — The Nexamp solar installation has been generating electricity since mid-February, but officials and dignitaries waited until Wednesday to cut a large green ribbon, officially opening the Stilson Road facility.
Nexamp’s Richmond Solar project, the first in the town, consists of 1,660 photovoltaic panels producing enough electricity to power 100 homes. The company has a 15-year contract to sell the power to National Grid.
Among those on hand for the ceremony were state Sen. Elaine Morgan, R-Ashaway, and Rep. Justin Price, R-Richmond.
“I’m am so excited to unveil this,” Morgan said. “It’s such an exciting project.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Price said. “It’s really a testament to what humans can do when they put their minds to it. A solar array like this — it’s going to be very positive for the Town of Richmond.”
Marion Gold, commissioner of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, performed the ribbon-cutting. Gold said the Richmond facility would serve as an example for other towns considering solar energy.
“It’s a great day for both the Town of Richmond and for all the municipalities in the state that can use this project as a model,” Gold said. “We can save energy, reduce our carbon emissions, generate revenue for the town and create a learning opportunity for schoolchildren and the community.”