Budderfly aids 128-year-old company to go solar | Projects Weekly
The latest Projects Weekly highlights a $1.5 million solar project for the Gilman Brothers Co. in Connecticut. Plus, GS Power energizes the Dorsey Run solar project in Maryland, while Castillo Engineering and Northern Sun Energy have been awarded a portfolio of community solar projects in New York. Keep reading to learn more.
Leading energy as a service (EaaS) company Budderfly installed a $1.5 million solar for a 128-year-old, family-owned company in Connecticut. The Gilman Brothers Co. manufactures foamboard products and expects to save up to 30% on its energy costs through a 15-year agreement.
“Today’s energy challenges are not the first ones our company has faced. Gilman Brothers has long understood the operational and financial benefits of having greater control over our energy supply as well as transparency into how we’re using it. We also know that managing it is a full-time business,” said Jeff Blanchard, VP of operations with Gilman Bros. “Budderfly’s holistic approach and financial model is what independent manufacturers like Gilman Brothers want and need.”
Cool factor: Through this project, Gilman Bros. will benefit from a 750 kW rooftop solar system, all-new LED lighting, and an ultra-high-efficiency HVAC system, in addition to several other cost-saving technologies like high-efficiency motors paired with variable frequency drives.
A fixture of American manufacturing since 1897, Gilman Bros. has a long history of resilience and innovation. The company, which provides signage, display, graphics, and wall art solutions to some of the nation’s largest retailers, has consistently taken a forward-looking innovative approach to energy. This dates back to the 1920s, when the river that powered the mill it relied on for power dried up. The company’s founder took matters into his own hands and pursued a charter to create the Bozrah Light and Power Co., a utility that has served Gilman Brothers’ facility and surrounding communities for decades. Now, Gilman Brothers faces the challenge of moving away from fossil fuel dependency and outdated lighting to a more sustainable, cost-effective renewable energy future. Budderfly’s investment is empowering this 120-employee, multi-generational family-run business to power its manufacturing operations with solar energy.
GS Power energizes Dorsey Run solar in Central Maryland
Commercial operations have commenced at GS Power Partners’ (GSPP) Dorsey Run Solar, a rooftop solar array hosted on an industrial building in Maryland, owned by an account managed by Principal Asset Management. Black Bear Energy facilitated the project in partnership with GSPP from concept to commissioning.
“Dorsey Run Solar represents a number of important milestones for GSPP. It was our first project in Maryland, and marks over 8 megawatts (MW) of installed solar in collaboration with Black Bear Energy. Additionally, it underscores the strength of our long-term partnership with Neighborhood Sun,” remarked Amanda Zurla, Chief Development Officer of GS Power Partners. “Finding partners who can grow with us while providing value to our community solar subscribers is critical to our mission.”
Cool factor: In addition to supplying low-cost renewable power to households in the region, Dorsey Run contributes to Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program, established in 2004 to capture the economic, environmental, fuel diversity, and security benefits of renewable energy. Maryland’s RPS Program mandates that by 2030, 50% of the state’s power must come from renewable generation sources.
Solar Landscape, a leading commercial and community solar developer in the U.S., was the project’s engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) provider. Neighborhood Sun provides the community solar subscriber management services to local households, many of which are low- and moderate-income residents who will receive a discount on their electricity.
Castillo Engineering, NSE awarded community solar projects in New York
Castillo Engineering and Northern Sun Energy (NSE) have been awarded three new community solar projects in Kinderhook, Wilton, and East Greenbush, New York, marking the continued success of their partnership in advancing clean energy solutions. Awarded by Seaboard Solar, these projects total 31.49 MWdc and will generate local renewable power for thousands of homes, while reinforcing New York’s leadership in community solar deployment.
“New York continues to lead the way in community solar, and we are proud to contribute to that growth with Northern Sun Energy and Seaboard Solar,” said Christopher Castillo, CEO of Castillo Engineering. “These projects required innovative engineering solutions to balance technical constraints and cost-effectiveness, and our team worked closely with NSE to optimize designs without sacrificing efficiency.”
Cool factor: This expansion follows the successful commissioning of the 5 MW Troy project, which Castillo Engineering and NSE completed together from initial design to final interconnection. The strong working relationship between the companies has led to continued collaboration, securing additional projects in the state.
Each of these new projects presents unique engineering challenges. Wilton and East Greenbush feature uneven terrain, requiring a carefully planned balance-of-system approach to manage the distance between arrays and interconnection points. Additionally, strict voltage drop requirements meant Castillo Engineering had to find cost-effective design solutions, ensuring compliance without unnecessarily increasing project costs.
“This collaboration between Northern Sun Energy, Castillo Engineering, and Seaboard Solar is a testament to the trust and expertise built across our teams,” said Shawn Brazo, President of Seaboard Solar. “These projects will deliver reliable, clean power to local communities while supporting economic growth through job creation and increased energy independence.”
