Committee backs slightly smaller Fairbank solar array to preserve incentives and speed interconnection

The committee reviewed final design options for a rooftop solar array at Fairbank Community Center and favored a slightly smaller system size to preserve higher state/utility incentives and speed Eversource interconnection review.

Byron Woodman, the project presenter, showed two design options and argued the smaller, 240 kW AC system optimizes incentives and interconnection timelines. "This system is 359 kWDC / 240 kW AC, which is under that cap, so it maintains the higher incentive level," Byron said. He said the modeled system would produce about 92% of the building’s usage and estimated first-year savings of roughly $17,000 and long-term savings in the low- to mid-six figures over 25 years under his assumptions.

Safety and permitting: Committee members raised concerns raised by the fire department about rooftop crowding. The chair said he reviewed the fire chief’s comments and favored the smaller layout because it leaves room for maintenance walkways and is more likely to gain the fire department’s approval.

Procedural steps: Staff said KP Law approved the DPW PPA template and that the same form would be used for Fairbank; staff recommended proceeding with the smaller system, advancing the Eversource interconnection application (ISA) and negotiating the PPA and lease for select-board signoff. The committee, which lacked a quorum for tonight’s vote, endorsed that approach in discussion and asked staff to schedule select-board review and to advance required paperwork.

What’s next: Staff will move forward with permitting, finalize the walkways and safety layout to address fire-department comments, and prepare the PPA/lease package for select-board approval so construction can proceed once the roof project and permits align.