Ameresco to add solar at NASA space flight base in Virginia

June 7 (Renewables Now) - US energy efficiency and renewables firm Ameresco Inc (NYSE:AMRC) has initiated construction on a 4.3-MW DC solar installation that will be part of a larger photovoltaic (PV) project at a NASA space flight centre in Virginia. The PV capacity will be installed at NASA’s Goddard space flight centre’s Wallops flight facility (NASA WFF) in Wallops Island, Ameresco said on Thursday. The project includes ground-mounted PV panels and carport canopy systems that will be installed at no upfront costs for NASA WFF under an energy savings performance contract with Ameresco. The PV scheme, which includes USD 14 million (EUR 12.4m) in renewable energy and infrastructure improvements, is in line with NASA WFF’s energy-savings and sustainability targets and will help the site cover at least 80% of its power demand. The generated electricity will help the facility lower its carbon footprint by over 4,310 tonnes annually.