Hooksett Town Council on Nov. 5 authorized Town Administrator Andre Garen to sign an amendment to the town's power-purchase agreement (PPA) with Revision Energy for a proposed solar array sited at the Department of Public Works.

Under the amendment, if the town does not exercise its option to purchase the array in year seven the PPA price would rise 2 cents per kilowatthour at that point; the agreement remains a 40-year contract and includes periodic purchase options. The facility is expected to generate roughly 1,600,000 kilowatt-hours a year, and the town's share of first-year net revenue was described in the meeting as about $26,000, to be split with the Hooksett School District.

Garen told the council the amendment was negotiated to address interconnection-cost increases encountered during the project's transmission-review process. He said legal counsel has reviewed the amendment and raised no legal issues.

Council discussion was brief. Councilors thanked Revision Energy and staff for advancing the project; several members said they supported allowing the administrator to execute routine contract amendments that fall within the council's prior authorization. A motion to re-authorize Garen to sign the amendment was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The PPA as described in the meeting retains multiple town options to purchase the system at scheduled intervals (the administrators'presentation included a year-six purchase estimate and later-year buyout values). Garen said the town is not obligated to buy the facility; if the town declines to exercise purchase options it may continue under the lease and PPA terms.

The council did not set an immediate town purchase deadline or take additional action beyond authorizing the administrator to sign the amendment.

Sources: Town Administrator Andre Garen's report and the council motion and vote on Nov. 5.