News & Press

Groton council gives pending OK for solar panels at landfill

The Day Connecticut

Property 'perfect' for this type of development, says project manager

November 18, 2011

Groton - A California-based company with a Massachusetts division wants to locate an array of solar panels that would generate renewable energy at the town's landfill on Flanders Road.

The Town Council agreed Tuesday night, pending the scrutiny of the town attorney, to sign a letter of intent with Borrego Solar, of Lowell, Mass. That would allow Borrego, with state approval, to build and install a ground-mounted solar facility capable of generating between one and five megawatts of electricity in partnership or under contract with Connecticut Light & Power.

Borrego would lease space at the landfill from the town for up to 20 years. According to the letter of intent, Borrego, or Borrego and CL&P would, pay up to $25,000 annually for each megawatt of the system's capacity.

A 3-megawatt system could produce as much as $75,000 per year for the town.

Borrego would either keep the energy credits the system would earn, or it could sell them to CL&P, which would own and distribute the power. If Borrego does not share ownership with CL&P it would contract with the company to manage and maintain the system.

Amy McDonough, a project manager for Borrego, said the landfill is the ideal space for the project. Her company has used landfills in other communities, including several in Massachusetts.

"They are perfect for solar development opportunities. They're brownfields that don't have lot of options for use," she said of landfills. "You can't put a building on them. We can install our equipment on them without impacting the cap, and they are the perfect place to capture sunlight."

"We also make sure our design doesn't impact the movement of stormwater over the landfill. Protecting the cap is paramount," she said.

"Our work undergoes a full geo-technical evaluation."

She said the company needs about 5 acres of open space for the solar panels to function at their best.

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