Solar project in the works for Templeton
Eryn DionNews Staff Writer
TEMPLETON — A new solar array will soon be giving the town’s green energy production, and electricity customers, a helpful boost.
The 3 megawatt facility, located on Farnsworth Road and being developed by Ten K Energy, will produce an estimated 4.6 million kilowatt hours and make up about 7.3 percent of the power sold to customers, according to Templeton’s Municipal Light & Water general manager John Driscoll.
Templeton already makes considerable use of renewable energy sources from around New England in their power supply portfolio, including several wind turbines, the most recognizable of which is the John LeClerc Memorial Wind Turbine located behind Narragansett Regional High School.
At present, 13.5 percent of the town’s power is produced with green and renewable sources, which is short of the 20 percent required with the Renewable Portfolio Standard regulation.
The new solar plant will go a long way towards Templeton reaching that rate.
“With us taking all the of the output from this solar generation facility, we will meet this goal without any problems,” said Mr. Driscoll.
While ongoing talks with Ten K Energy are confidential, the town hopes to sign a 20-year purchased power agreement with the company, stabilizing prices for customers and securing cheaper rates for the town.
Adding more green and renewable sources to the town’s power supply also helps insulate customers from rate spikes caused by extreme weather and natural gas shortages.
“Natural gas in New England is now becoming scarce in both the winter and summer months,” explained Mr. Driscoll.
The solar panels will also be useful in the summer, according to Mr. Driscoll, working to reduce the town’s peak electricity demand and taking some of the burden off customers.
The company Ten K Energy is also developing a 3 MW solar facility in Ashburnham, which broke ground in October.
Permits for the project will go before the town’s Planning Board during their Jan. 14 meeting and department manager Carl Giacobone hoped the process would be completed by spring.
Vote Mitchell for Selectman.
ReplyDeleteRemember the past to ensue a better future.
The nuclear option should NEVER be used.
With the REC credits drop in value as of late Quote from 600 to 100 it's hard to see how us as ratepayers will get the deal this General manager tell us we will. In recent past meetings we were told of only 1 MW of our portfolio was able to be added for this type of project and now we are allowing a 3 MW farm in without and problem. I would be at the meeting on the 14th and ask as many Questions as possible including about the tax agreement we have for the 20 years to lock in for the amount that the BOS have statedat the BOS meeting. The amount the owner pays us should have some research to back up the amounts to compair what others in business have to pay,not like the pilot calculations we are stuck with at TMLWP.
ReplyDeleteTime to calculate with a calculator we all live with. Contacting Ashburnham or Winchendon to see what thier tax collection would be frfom such a business !
It's all about the money right kirk!
VOTE DIANE HALEY-BROOKS for BOS time to move forward in Templeton without past mistakes
ReplyDeleteHas Driscoll entered into any deals with the Ten k solar corp? Has he turned over any contracts for power purchase agreements yet? He has enought time to do so. Is he in violation of the law for being over 7 days in turning over new contracts? He should know who we purchase the power from and the contracts should be in his office to view as stated in the chapter 164 laws. When will the contracts for purchase power be forwarded to the BOS the Templeton Auditing Authority. Should be easy enough to do. If the contracts are to large to copy then send a binder with the listing and fill the binder later. I can give a list of the more interesting stuff J.D.
ReplyDeleteYou got my Email! I can help. I have this little list for you.One thing needed is the sworn statement of accuracy to turn in also. Thats all.