Developer urges Henniker to consider group net‑metering; Select Board refers proposal to Energy Committee

A renewable‑energy developer told the Henniker Select Board on April 1 that towns can receive recurring savings from group net‑metered solar projects without investing capital or using local land. The board agreed by consensus to refer the proposal to the town Energy Committee for review and asked the committee to report back by the May 6 Select Board meeting.

Malcolm Bliss, representing Kearsarge Energy, introduced Andrew Bernstein, who said his firm develops solar and battery projects primarily on public land (landfills and other sites) and currently manages about 300 megawatts. Bernstein described how New Hampshire’s group net‑metering structure allows excess generation credits from a facility to be allocated to municipalities within the utility’s service zone. He said the model requires no land use or upfront town investment; credits are assigned on the utility bill and can be paid to the town by check or ACH.

Bernstein recommended Henniker consider committing to about 540,000 kilowatt‑hours of credits and explained the program requires a 20‑year commitment from participants. He said the developer guarantees roughly 85–90% of expected savings and estimated, under a conservative 10¢ valuation and a 10% discount example, annual savings near $5,400 and $132,000 over 20 years. Bernstein cautioned that interconnection costs assessed by the utility can materially change project economics and that credits are limited by the town’s annual kWh usage; if a lower‑cost project appears later, a town already committed could be unable to take additional credits beyond its annual cap.

Board members asked about utility territory and whether Eversource customers could participate; Bernstein said his firm works with projects for both Unitil and Eversource territories but noted interconnection studies and queue positions are key. Selectmen suggested the Energy Committee, which includes members with subject expertise, review the developer’s standard group net‑metering agreement and financial assumptions. Bernstein asked for a town commitment within two to three months because allocation is first‑come, first‑served.

The Select Board did not vote on the proposal at the meeting; by consensus it referred the item to the Energy Committee and invited the developer to attend the committee’s next meeting.