Community Solar Project Eyed For Auto Salvage Land

Community Solar Project Eyed For Auto Salvage Land
Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

PHILLIPSTON  Residents will soon have a chance to buy in on solar power and potentially reduce their electric bills, as the Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is looking to develop a ground-mounted solar array on Baldwinville Road.

Greg Carey, community solar manager for the company’s Worcester office, explained that his company differs from other solar developers in that it sells its energy directly to residents, rather than to municipalities or businesses, giving customers a chance to “go green,” even if they can’t afford panels or their home is not configured for solar power through its Solar Perks program.

“This gives the residential customers an opportunity to sign up and purchase power with no money down, and they will get a monthly discount on their electric bill,” Mr. Carey said.

The company has completed projects in Rehoboth, Adams and Uxbridge, and Mr. Carey said the Solar Perks program has been “extremely well received.”

“We’re very confident that if we’re allowed to build this facility that not only residential customers in Phillipston, but also those in surrounding areas, will subscribe,” he said.

Representatives with Clean Energy, along with engineers from Whitman & Bingham Associates, went before the Conservation Committee on Tuesday night to file their notice of intent and give a detailed overview of the project, which will be built on 8 acres at 190 Baldwinville Road. The property is currently owned by Bert Leandres for his business, Ollie’s I-190 Used Auto Parts, and Clean Energy will enter into a lease with Mr. Leandres for the land.

In describing the site, engineer Wes Flis of Whitman & Bingham said the location offered only a limited amount of buildable square footage, as it is surrounded by wetlands, two streams on the north and east sides, an endangered species area, and floodplains, all of which have their own mandatory buffer zones. While the restricted areas will not be disturbed, there will be a small area of tree-cutting required. Mr. Flis said the trees will be cleared from the property and the stumps will remain to encourage shrubbery and other wild growth to take root.

To offset for the tree-clearing, Mr. Flis said the entire site, up to the various buffer zones, will be loamed and seeded with grass and wildflowers to create a meadow-type habitat that will require little maintenance.

“We’ll be removing the cars there now and the slight chance of anything going wrong,” Mr. Flis said. “We see it as an improvement from an environmental standpoint.”

“I think most people would agree with you,” said board chairman Terry Dymek.

If approved, Mr. Flis said, the project will have a very short turnaround with a summer construction period.

“They’ll be done in three months,” he said. Members of the Conservation Committee were impressed with the amount of legwork already completed by Clean Energy and Whitman & Bingham, as well as the attention paid to the various restrictions on the property.

“You guys definitely did your homework,” Mr. Dymek said.

The commission voted to approve the plan and issue an order of conditions. The project will go before the Planning Board on Wednesday night before heading to the building inspector.