Standard Solar Completes 2.4 MW Community Solar + Storage Project in Massachusetts, Strengthening Grid Reliability and Expanding Clean Energy Access
Standard Solar, a recognized leader in the ownership, operation, and development of commercial and community solar assets, has announced the completion of the Division Road community solar and storage project in Westport, Massachusetts. This 2.38-megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar array, combined with a 999-kilowatt (kW) DC-coupled battery energy storage system, marks another milestone in the state’s transition toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
The Division Road project, acquired from New Leaf Energy and constructed in collaboration with EDF Power Solutions, now delivers renewable power directly into the New England electric grid. Situated on a seven-acre site in Bristol County, the installation features 4,420 high-efficiency solar modules and is projected to generate approximately 2,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity each year — enough to power hundreds of homes while offsetting thousands of tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Supporting Massachusetts’ Renewable Energy Goals
The project directly supports the state’s Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program, an initiative designed to encourage the deployment of up to 3,200 MW of solar capacity statewide by the end of 2025. Through SMART’s structured incentives, the Division Road system provides benefits not only in clean energy generation but also in grid reliability and energy equity.
By integrating nearly 1 MW of battery storage, the project helps stabilize energy supply, storing excess solar production during low-demand periods and dispatching it when the grid experiences peak load. This flexibility improves the overall performance of the regional power system and underscores the growing importance of solar-plus-storage configurations in New England’s decarbonization strategy.
“Projects like this demonstrate the power of solar plus storage to deliver clean energy while strengthening the grid,” said Harry Benson, Director of Business Development at Standard Solar. “With nearly one megawatt of integrated storage, the project provides reliability, enhances grid resilience, and ensures greater value for the community. Thanks to Massachusetts’ forward-looking SMART program and strong collaboration with our partners, we’re advancing projects that cut carbon emissions, support local economies, and make renewable energy more accessible across the Commonwealth.”
Economic and Community Impact
Beyond its environmental benefits, the Division Road project also provides meaningful economic advantages for Westport and the surrounding communities in Bristol County. Construction created local employment opportunities, contributing to the regional labor market. In the long term, the project will generate consistent lease payments for landowners and tax revenues for the local government — helping fund schools, infrastructure, and other essential public services.
Standard Solar’s expanding footprint in Massachusetts builds upon the company’s mission to democratize clean energy access through community solar. The firm continues to grow its presence nationwide, with active projects in states such as New Jersey, New Mexico, and Maryland. By investing in scalable solar and energy storage solutions, Standard Solar enables communities, institutions, and small businesses to participate in — and benefit from — the clean energy transition.
A Partnership for Success
According to Mike Streams, Chief Development Officer at Standard Solar, the successful completion of the Division Road project illustrates the company’s ability to identify, acquire, and deliver high-quality renewable assets. “This project is a great example of how Standard Solar executes on complex community solar and storage developments,” Streams said. “By partnering with New Leaf Energy and EDF Power Solutions, we transformed a challenging concept into a fully operational project that provides lasting value to both the grid and local residents. Our goal remains to collaborate with developers nationwide to expand our portfolio and accelerate the clean energy transition.”
The project’s success is also a testament to the productive collaboration among all partners involved. Jon Sarno, Senior Director of Project Finance at New Leaf Energy, noted the teamwork that carried the project through its complex development process. “The Division Road project is a great testament to the strong partnership between New Leaf Energy and Standard Solar,” Sarno said. “The project had a long, winding development path filled with real estate and technical challenges. Working with an experienced and knowledgeable partner like Standard Solar allowed us to overcome those obstacles and move seamlessly into construction and completion.”
Driving the Future of Community Solar
The Division Road project highlights a growing trend in renewable energy — the combination of community solar with battery storage systems to create smarter, more resilient local grids. Community solar allows individuals, businesses, and organizations that may not have suitable rooftops or properties for solar panels to subscribe to a shared solar array and receive credits on their utility bills.
As energy storage costs continue to decline and demand for flexible grid resources increases, hybrid systems like Division Road will play an increasingly central role in modernizing America’s energy infrastructure. For Massachusetts, where energy demand is growing and decarbonization targets are ambitious, these projects help ensure that renewable energy is available precisely when and where it is needed most.
Standard Solar’s continued investment in community solar and storage aligns with broader national and global efforts to decarbonize the power sector. By leveraging partnerships, advanced technology, and innovative financing models, the company is helping to reshape the energy landscape — delivering reliable, affordable, and clean power to communities across the country.
A Model for the Clean Energy Transition
The successful delivery of the Division Road project reinforces Standard Solar’s reputation as a trusted partner in advancing solar and storage solutions. It also demonstrates how state-level incentive programs like SMART can drive private-sector investment and foster innovation in renewable energy.
In combining energy generation, storage, and local economic impact, the project serves as a model for how clean energy infrastructure can be deployed effectively and equitably. It represents a concrete step toward achieving both Massachusetts’ renewable energy goals and the nation’s broader carbon reduction targets.
Through projects like Division Road, Standard Solar continues to illustrate how collaboration between developers, utilities, and communities can translate vision into impact — turning acres of open land into engines of clean power, economic growth, and environmental progress.
