Thursday, October 08, 2009 at 4:16:01 PM - by Danny Vo

A major retail complex in Massachusetts will soon become one of the latest commercial entities to embrace solar energy.

According to an announcement from Constellation Energy, it will construct a 525 kilowatt photovoltaic system at Patriot Place. The 1.3 million square foot facility offers retail, dining and entertainment options and is located next to Gillette Stadium, home of the NFL's New England Patriots, in Foxborough.

"In addition to this project being an important contribution to Patriot Place's overall sustainability initiatives, we are proud that its visibility will help promote practical and cost-effective commercial applications of solar power," said Brian Earley, the general manager of Patriot Place.

According to Constellation, the planned system will generate about 30 percent of the facility's energy and will cover about seven building rooftops with about 2,800 crystalline photovoltaic panels. Construction is expected to begin later this month.

The project will further increase the visibility of solar energy because visitors to Gillette Stadium will be able to see the panels, as well as those who visit the upper retail plaza area of Patriot Place. The project will also offset carbon emissions equal to taking 1,600 cars off the road for a year.