Planning Board approves 0.1 MW solar tracker array at 240 Watfield Road with buffer and placement conditions

The Planning Board voted to approve a major site plan for a 0.1-megawatt solar tracker installation at 240 Watfield Road after weeks of public discussion and technical review. The motion, made by an unidentified board member and seconded by Randy, carried by voice/hand vote.

Jeff Allen of AE Hudson Engineers and a vendor representative from Bright Spot Solar described the project and a range of mitigation measures. Allen said the applicants revised the plan to address the board’s concerns and introduced the project team. Bright Spot’s representative described the dual-axis tracker technology and drainage behavior, saying the arrays have small gaps between panels that distribute rainfall rather than channelizing it and that the only significant impervious area is the concrete tracker base.

The board’s concerns centered on visual impacts, the placement of two trackers near a home on Route 201, and the potential for wetland disturbance. Rick York, an abutter, told the board he “battles water all year long” and asked that stormwater not be directed toward his property. The developer agreed to move the two trackers closest to Route 201 to the rear of the site to reduce visual and drainage impacts and to work with abutters on the exact buffer placement.

The conditions the board included in its approval require the developer to: relocate the two trackers nearest Route 201 to the rear of the site; establish a vegetative buffer of no fewer than 40 conifer or similar plantings (5–6-foot stock); and limit the exposed concrete post above grade to about 1 foot where feasible, so the tracker bottoms maintain an 8-foot clearance (which under electrical code can remove the need for perimeter fencing). The motion also directed the developer to document the agreed buffer placement or to show an alternative acceptable to the board and abutters.

The vendor described product details during the hearing: individual tracker arrays occupy roughly 1,070–1,170 square feet of panel area, concrete base cylinders are approximately 30 inches in diameter (about 7 square feet each), and the product carries warranties typically expressed as 20 years with panel lifespan expectations of 25–30 years. The applicants said they hold a USDA grant for the project and that the system is intended for behind-the-meter use at the storage site.

Board members emphasized the need for precise as-built placement and for staff review of any final tweaks to ensure the 8-foot clearance is achieved across the sloped areas. The board voted to approve the plan with the stated conditions; the developer will return with revised plans showing the relocated trackers and the buffer details for staff review prior to final sign-off.