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City reports preliminary solar and wind feasibility findings for landfill and city sites
Summary
Public Works reported a preliminary feasibility review indicating the Jones Avenue landfill could potentially host about 1.7 MW of solar generation; a National Renewable Energy Laboratory review estimated 10–15 year paybacks for small-scale wind options but flagged major constructability and permitting hurdles.
Peter Rice, Portsmouth's director of public works, presented preliminary findings on April 21 about potential renewable-energy projects at city-managed sites.
Jones Avenue landfill
Rice said an initial feasibility evaluation done through the city's consultant and Revision Energy estimated the Jones Avenue landfill could potentially host about a 1.7 megawatt alternating-current (AC) solar array. For context, the city currently has roughly 0.5 MW of distributed generation at the Madbury water-treatment plant and the high school; a 1.7 MW array would be about three times that capacity. Rice cautioned the study is preliminary: the landfill requires "housekeeping" work and a formal review with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services before any permitting or construction can proceed. He said the city is examining delivery models — land lease or a power purchase agreement (PPA) — and that current uncertainty about funding sources prevents definitive cost-effectiveness conclusions.
Wind-energy feasibility
Rice also discussed a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) evaluation of three city sites for small-scale wind generation (Pierce Island, Pease wastewater treatment plant and Madbury water plant). The draft review indicated potential paybacks in the 10–15 year range based on energy production assumptions, but Rice warned that those estimates do not include constructability, permitting, siting constraints, or financing costs. He noted site constraints (limited space, navigational-lighting conflicts on Pierce Island) and potential restrictions from maritime navigation and the Coast Guard that could prevent siting turbines in certain locations.
Councilors' remarks
Councilors expressed interest and asked for further information. Councillor Denton suggested issuing an RFP to gauge private interest; another councilor noted the initial payback estimates did not include cost of money and financing, which could materially change feasibility.
Next steps
Public Works will complete fence repairs at the landfill, pursue a formal review with state regulators when ready, and report back to council with more detailed feasibility, funding scenarios, and potential project delivery models.
