The Kearsarge Energy solar and storage portfolio is a distributed fleet of solar arrays and battery systems located across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and neighbouring states, and it has grown far beyond the 34 MW commissioned across 11 sites in 2021. The Boston based developer confirmed on 30 June 2026 that it brought 88 MW and MWh into commercial operation during 2025, with more than 160 MW slated for 2026.

Batteries Now Do the Heavy Lifting in the Kearsarge Energy Solar and Storage Portfolio

Storage has become the centre of gravity. A 22.5 MWh standalone battery in North Reading and a 20 MWh unit in Sterling now shave municipal peak load, a narrower brief than the 500 MW River Mill Storage battery advancing in Tyngsborough. Managing partner Andrew Bernstein says roughly 20 more projects are under construction nationally.

Project Overview

• Project Name: Kearsarge Energy solar and storage portfolio
• Location: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Maryland, with 2026 commissions planned in Minnesota, Delaware and Connecticut
• Project Value: Not publicly disclosed by site. Kearsarge reports US$600 million developed across 300 MW since 2011 and a current national pipeline of US$900 million and 400 MW, per pv magazine USA
• Client and Owner: Kearsarge Energy, which owns and operates the full portfolio and in several cases the underlying land
• Capacity Commissioned in 2025: 88 MW and MWh
• Capacity Planned for 2026: More than 160 MW and MWh across roughly 20 projects
• Key Components: Standalone battery energy storage systems, ground mounted solar arrays, carport and rooftop solar, and solar paired with storage on landfills and brownfield land
• Procurement Model: Public private partnerships with municipal light departments alongside privately developed assets
• Notable Assets: 22.5 MWh battery in North Reading, solar plus a 20 MWh battery in Sterling, a 20 MWh battery with a 7.5 MW array in Orleans, a 6.9 MW tracker array in St. Johnsville, and the North Sea Solar landfill array in Southampton
• Strategic Impact: Peak load reduction for municipal utilities, bill credits for low and moderate income subscribers, and productive reuse of capped landfills

Project Team

• Owner, Developer and Operator: Kearsarge Energy
• Municipal Offtaker, North Reading: Reading Municipal Light Department
• Municipal Offtaker, Sterling: Sterling Municipal Light Department
• Public Power Offtaker, Vermont: Vermont Public Power Supply Authority
• Programme Sponsor, New York: New York State Solar for All
• Main Contractor: Not publicly disclosed
• Financing Partners: Not publicly disclosed

Reported 1st July 2021: A total of 34 MW of solar and storage projects spread across 11 different sites have begun being installed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The projects are under the supervision of Kearsarge Energy who has financed and will develop them, partnering with financial institutions for debt and tax equity. Kearsarge will own and operate them for the long term as it does with all its known projects, underlining its leadership in sustainable energy development and operations in the Northeast.

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A 2.8-MW solar + storage project was installed on 12 acres of land that was not being utilized at Haverhill Municipal Landfill in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and is operating under the state’s SMART Program. It is expected to generate US$3.9 million in combined lease revenue, energy savings, and tax income over 20 years. A 3-MW solar array also being installed and is a sustainable energy model and a haven for grazers and pollinators in Tiverton, Rhode Island. The site was designed to provide a conducive environment for local wildlife and to accommodate grazers and pollinators. The facility will host a herd of sheep this year, with a bird habitation and pollinator-friendly flowers beneath and around panels. A high school in Walpole added four solar panels to its parking canopy and rooftop that totals 1 MW and has also planned a curriculum around the new solar system.

“It has been an extraordinarily productive year for Kearsarge Energy with the implementation of 11 projects in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Our strong construction and financing partnerships were critical to our success in this environment and we are both gratified and energized to see these sites commence operations for our many stakeholders. In 2021/22, we’re setting an even quicker pace with 250 MW in development/construction and expansion into Maine, Virginia, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.” said the managing partner of Kearsarge Energy, Andrew Bernstein.