Energy commission seeks board backing for net‑metering extension and federal funding for solar and batteries
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Summary
Energy commission members asked the Select Board to support a letter backing a state bill to extend municipal net‑metering and to authorize staff to pursue a congressionally directed spending application (due March 6) to fund solar arrays and battery storage for the new fire station and DPW/transfer station; board asked to review the net‑metering letter before signing.
Members of Swansea’s Energy Commission briefed the Select Board on two related energy efforts and asked the board for informal support to proceed.
First, commissioners asked the town chair to consider signing a letter supporting a state bill described in the discussion as SB 538 that would lengthen municipal net‑metering terms for group hosts. “s b 5 38 extends the 20 year term of eligibility and the net metering tariff for municipal group hosts to 40,” one commissioner said, noting that an extension helps municipalities and local projects by making investments more financially viable.
Second, the commission described a congressionally directed spending (CDS) application with a March 6 deadline that, if awarded, could cover construction of solar arrays and partially fund battery storage for the new fire station and public works facilities. Commission members said Eversource and Clean Energy New Hampshire have offered support and that Eversource has programs that can pay a portion of battery costs and provide technical assistance. One commission member said Eversource indicated it could provide up to $200,000 toward batteries in certain programs.
Speakers walked the board through rough cost estimates and benefits: a combined project cost for arrays was shown in materials at about $330,000 net of incentives for two municipal buildings with a payback period estimated near 10 years, and an overall 25‑year net revenue projection if incentives and compensation for surplus generation hold. The commission also discussed battery sizing and placement, automatic transfer switches for outage operation, recycling and decommissioning concerns for panels, and the potential for the wastewater treatment plant to continue producing surplus energy.
Board members asked to receive the net‑metering letter to review and suggested taking up formal signing at a subsequent meeting. The Energy Commission requested permission to continue preparing the CDS application by March 6; the board gave consensus to the commission and staff to proceed and agreed to review the net‑metering letter before the chair signs it.
No grant award was decided at the meeting; applications and letters were described as next steps and contingent on subsequent staff and board approvals.