Town officials celebrated the opening of the largest municipal solar array in the state on May 30, four years after the project was approved by voters.
Exeter Select Board members, state Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, and representatives of New Hampshire’s U.S. senators and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas gathered at Exeter’s landfill on Cross Road where the panels were installed. Select Board Chair Niko Papakonstantis cut a red ribbon with a large pair of scissors to commemorate the opening of the 1.77-megawatt solar array.
Rows of panels have been constructed on top of the capped landfill, a total of 3,000 panels collecting energy. Town Manager Russ Dean said the solar array will save the town approximately $250,000 a year and cover all of the town’s energy bills.
“It’s going to crank out a lot of energy,” Dean said.
Solar array project brings energy savings to Exeter The project cost $5.2 million, of which taxpayers funded $3.6 million approved at the 2021 Town Meeting, according to the town’s website. The project’s financing plan includes annual revenues and renewable energy credits to offset the amount of debt service.
Town officials are also looking forward to a federal tax exemption credit one year after the solar array goes online. That is expected to bring $1.3 million back to the town.
Select Board members described the solar array as a success after four years of work to bring it online. The work, done through a partnership with ReVision Energy, was slowed by supply chain issues and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is an amazing day for this project,” Papakonstantis said. “It’s a win-win for the town.”
Town, state officials celebrate solar array opening Exeter’s leading position in New Hampshire for solar energy was celebrated by those who attended the ribbon-cutting.
“Right here in Rockingham County is where we’re going to be leading the whole state,” Altschiller said. “Exeter has taken the front space in that parade.”
Mark Zankel, director of community solar for ReVision Energy, said he hopes more capped landfills are used as solar sites in New Hampshire. He said solar arrays are among the few options towns have for using capped landfills.
“We would love to see solar on as many of them as possible,” Zankel said. “This project will spur other communities to go ahead and redevelop solar on their landfill as well.”
Papakonstantis credited many town staff and committee members, including Planner Dave Sharples for his hard work on the project. He also credited voters for supporting the project.
“Most importantly, our legislative body, the voters, taxpayers of this town, who we can always count on getting behind energy-efficient initiatives,” Papakonstantis said. “This is such an exciting day.”
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