Hyannis is home to many laudible attractions, including the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, Cape Cod Melody Tent, world class water front dining, beaches, and Cape Cod Potato Chips – to name a few. These Hyannis staples have entertained or served tourists and locals alike for many years and will likely remain a part of the quintessential Cape Cod experience for generations. About one year ago, a handful of local companies took their own steps to ensure their legacies would also stand the test of time.
Shepley Wood Products, Cape Cod Ready Mix, and other affiliated businesses came together to commission the largest solar array on Cape Cod, appropriately named Airport Way Solar Field. It has a 1.4 megawatt nameplate rating and is located just north of the Barnstable Municipal Airport. Through a feat of virtual net metering, portions of the power produced at the Airport Way Solar Field is divided among local businesses, like the aforementioned Hyannis based Cape Cod Potato Chips factory.
Hyannis Sun Self Storage, less than a mile away as the crow flies, previously held the title of largest private solar array in Hyannis at 476.4 kilowatts. While the title only lasted a few months, the benefits of the Hyannis Sun Self Storage solar project will last for decades. These substantial investments in sustainable, renewable solar energy not only reduce electricity bills for their owners but, all Cape Codders benefit from the reduction in harmful emissions that are the byproduct of traditional power generation.
In the first year of operation, these two huge solar projects in Hyannis have harvested enough solar energy to offset 3.3 million pounds of CO2 and 1,400 barrels of oil, and saved the equivalent of 33,000 trees. That’s enough energy to drive 6,160 laps at the Monaco Grand Prix! By this time next year, the Airport Way Solar Field and Hyannis Sun Self Storage Solar arrays will have captured enough energy to launch the space shuttle into orbit. Fortunately though, all that energy will be put to good use right here in Hyannis, MA.
