By Scott Stafford
HANCOCK — Construction has begun in earnest at the new 2.3 megawatt solar installation adjacent to Jiminy Peak that will effectively boost the ski resort’s usage of renewable power to 90 percent of its annual needs.
About 12 acres next to Brodie Mountain Road have been cleared and the erosion control drainage systems installed, and the road into the site upgraded to handle heavy equipment. Crews are now installing roughly 1,200 six- to eight-foot screws, which are drilled into the ground, leaving only about four inches above the ground. Upon these, the 7,502 photovoltaic solar panels will be set.
The project is owned by Nexamp, a Boston-based solar development company. Once operating, it will be the biggest community-shared solar project in the Northeast, according to company officials.