Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Solar topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pecheubock Road solar field nearing panel delivery; town says array should cover about 91% of municipal use
Summary
Town staff reported that racking and wiring are in place at the Pecheubock Road capped‑landfill solar site, with panels and a transformer expected in mid‑December; a town meter analysis presented to the commission estimated the field would generate roughly '1.2‑something' kWh annually and cover about 91% of the town's 12‑month average usage, though demand charges and delivery costs will remain.
Town staff updated the Bedford Energy Commission on the Pecheubock Road solar facility on Nov. 20, reporting that racking and conduit runs are in place but panels and a key transformer remained in transit.
"They are estimated to be here sometime in December," said a town representative about the panels and transformer; staff warned that if either item is delayed, final completion could slip. Project staff said all wiring runs have been pulled and much of the on‑site work is complete, but the system cannot be commissioned until the transformer is installed.
A commission member credited Assistant Town Manager Jean Walker with compiling 53 meter statements and said the town‑level annual calculation showed the array would generate "1.2‑something" kilowatt‑hours per year and would account for roughly 91% of the town’s 12‑month average kilowatt‑hour usage. Commissioners stressed that this percentage refers to energy produced vs. energy consumed and does not eliminate delivery charges or municipal demand‑charge obligations, which will still appear on the town’s bills under the commercial tariff structure.
Timing and commissioning: Commissioners and staff discussed a tentative schedule presented at the meeting: mid‑January for on‑site completion with an additional estimated eight weeks for full commissioning, acknowledging contingency risk from equipment delivery schedules (presenters referenced a transformer shipment that may be routed from overseas and cross‑country trucking).
Site details and operations: Staff showed photos of racking, conduit runs and fencing; presenters said fencing design allows wildlife passage but is intended to discourage burrowing animals that could damage the capped landfill cover. Town members discussed next steps for data collection once the array operates for a full year, which will allow a more precise analysis of dollar savings after accounting for demand and delivery charges.
What’s next: Staff will monitor equipment delivery and commissioning progress, post updates as photos and data become available, and run year‑one production against expected demand to refine financial projections and possible tax‑credit timing.
