Springfield eyes possible solar energy deals

The Springfield Selectboard joined with the Town Planning Committee and Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission to consider proposed locations for two different net-metering solar projects, which could result in thousands of dollars in electricity savings annually.


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Springfield eyes possible solar energy deals | January 24, 2018 By PATRICK ADRIAN padrian@eagletimes.com Joel Stetteheim, president of Norwich Solar Technologies, discusses a proposed site near Fairground Road, to provide 500 kilowatts of discounted energy to Mount Ascutney Hospital, with Tom Kennedy, executive director of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission, during a meeting Monday in Springfield, Vt. — PATRICK ADRIAN SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The Springfield Selectboard joined with the Town Planning Committee and Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission to consider proposed locations for two different net-metering solar projects, which could result in thousands of dollars in electricity savings annually. Solar net metering is an energy partnership between private and public entities that enables eligible customers to receive energy discounts — including schools municipalities and hospitals. Vermont, which is looking to make renewables responsible for 90 percent of its energy by 2025, provides lucrative incentives to solar companies for such partnerships. Developers from each project are seeking a joint endorsement from the board, planning committee and planning commisison in order to qualify as a “preferred site” for solar projects. Joel Stetteheim, president of Norwich Solar Technologies, one of the two project developers, said that if the location isn’t designated “preferred,” the company won’t be able to build. New rules limit the locations of net-metering projects (larger systems for contracts with towns or school districts) to “preferred sites” — locations that can’t be used for agricultural or community purposes, such as gravel pits or landfills. The Public Utility Commission aims to encourage smaller, space-efficient solar project locations, like rooftops, rather than farmlands or places that compromise the aesthetics of the landscape. “One of the issues we’ve had [with some projects] is the maintenance,” said Tom Kennedy, executive director of regional planning commission. “There’ll be plastic bags up against the fence line. They’re not doing the trimming and mowing and in some communities they’re pretty unsightly.” One of these projects, developed by Catamount Solar of Randolph VT, was awarded a net-metering contract by the Springfield School Board in December. Catamount developer Nathan Stumpff says the system would provide 465 kilowatts of discounted energy to the Union Street School, with a savings to the school district of about $500,000 in electricity costs over 25 years. The other, by Norwich Solar Technologies, seeks to build a 500-kilowatt solar system at 216 Fairground Road, which has a net-metering agreement with Mount Ascutney Hospital and would pay Springfield to lease the land. Before the “preferred site” requirement, solar companies were allowed build their net-metering systems on a wide variety of land. The new rule, however, requires the proposed location to fit one of nine descriptions. While most of these specify land that has already been developed, the PUC provides one alternative: a letter of joint approval — by a town’s legistlature, local and regional planning board— to approve a site for solar installation. Stetteheim believes that their Fairground Road location could qualify as a “preferred site” under the rule’s sixth option, being land comprising a gravel pit. But the law’s newness has solar providers unclear how state administrators intend to interpret their definitions. Having the local community’s legislators and planners on board provides additional assurance to the state about the site, Stetteheim explained. Stetteheim says that because the land has already been partially developed, there will be less environmental impact to install a solar system. The site is closely located to the road, with surrounding land already cleared for power lines. Fairground Road does border about three to five acres of wetlands. Town Manager Tom Yenerrell told the boards that the local Audubon group that leases the wetlands has reviewed the location proposal and had no concerns. The Catamount site is on land off Craigue Hill Road, part of the 80 acres owned by resident Matt Priestly behind Union Street School. Priestly’s acreage is heavily wooded, including a sizeable maple farm as part of his sugaring business. However, Priestly says the Catamount plot is more open. Priestly says the ground is too wet to support maple trees; moreover, the land would not be logical for residential development because of the high cost to modify. Each committee will vote independently at their next scheduled meetings. The Selectboard is scheduled to vote Feb. 7, the Town Planning Commission on Feb. 12, and if both town bodies approve, Kennedy says the planning commission will vote Feb. 21.