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Hobbs Brook Management LLC, a commercial property management and development firm specializing in leasing, construction and development of Class A office space, announced the completion of two solar canopy arrays at its 601 and 701 Edgewater Drive office buildings in Wakefield, Mass. The new solar arrays align with Hobbs Brook’s commitment to deliver high-quality, sustainable office environments and reduce its carbon footprint.
The renewable energy systems will produce over 16 million kilowatts of electrical generation over the system’s lifetime, saving an annual 460 gallons of CO2 emissions, 52,000 gallons of gas, and 3,650 light bulbs. The new photovoltaic arrays increase Hobbs Brook’s solar generation from 2.9 to 4 megawatts of electricity.
In addition to the energy savings, the systems produce zero carbon emissions. Situated atop parking garages, they provide coverage for the top garage levels, further reducing snow removal efforts and salting operations which can damage concrete structures and surrounding ecosystems, and eliminating the need to puncture roof membranes on the buildings. The large wire racks allow for the easy exchange of solar cells when more efficient technology becomes available.
“Massachusetts ranks as the most energy-efficient state in the country by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Hobbs Brook shares this value with the Commonwealth, and is proud to be the leading Massachusetts commercial real estate developer for solar power,” said Bradley Cardoso, AIA, principal architect for Hobbs Brook Management. “We develop buildings for the long-term so we insist on superior quality and sustainability when improving the assets that are core to our business. Each solar array reduces the energy a building consumes by approximately eight to 13 percent. We believe reducing our footprint increases the longevity of our buildings, as well as the environment around us.”
Hobbs Brook now boasts five buildings in its portfolio with solar arrays, having installed solar arrays in 2014 at its properties at 404 Wyman and 275 Wyman in Waltham, Mass., and 95 Hayden Ave in Lexington, Mass.
Hobbs Brook continues to advance sustainable improvements at its office parks with the planning of a sixth solar array. Construction is expected to be complete by early 2018.
