Cohasset subcommittee advances solar-array RFP, aims to meet July 4 ITC deadline

The AEC Subcommittee for the Town of Cohasset advanced planning for a proposed solar energy array at Deerhill/Osgood on March 5, agreeing to pursue a developer-led power purchase agreement and identifying next steps to meet a July 4 Investment Tax Credit (ITC) deadline.

Julia Gillis, assistant town planner and liaison to the Alternative Energy Committee, told the subcommittee that Procurement Officer Lisa McGonigle has been linked into the project but has paused work until two questions are answered: the source of funding and the School Committee’s formal recommendation. Gillis said she will follow up with the school superintendent and reported that the town has sent legal documents to the school’s counsel for review but has not yet received a response.

Subcommittee members said town funding appears unlikely because of budget constraints. Subcommittee member Tanya Bodell said the group should proceed by soliciting a developer and entering into a power purchase agreement rather than relying on capital from the town; she volunteered to email the School Committee chair and the superintendent to gauge their preference and suggested that carport installations may be more feasible than rooftop systems on school buildings.

The subcommittee emphasized the importance of the federal Investment Tax Credit timeline and unanimously agreed that finalizing key items in time for the July 4 ITC deadline is critical to preserve tax benefits for the project. The group asked staff to clarify whether the ITC timeline or other deadlines would affect the procurement schedule.

Gillis said staff are working with National Grid to obtain municipal electric-usage data through the utility’s business account portal; the town must confirm which staff email is associated with the portal or request new user access. Doran Hole reported he has compiled "about a dozen" potential solar firms, ranging from national to local operators, and asked about legal rules for engaging companies before the RFP is posted. The subcommittee reiterated that the procurement officer is the single point of contact and said the subcommittee will be part of the evaluation committee once the RFP is issued. Members also suggested a town social-media post to publicize the upcoming RFP.

The meeting record shows one formal motion: Chris Oddleifson moved to approve the Feb. 5 meeting minutes with minor header edits, Doran Hole seconded, and the motion passed by a unanimous role-call vote. The subcommittee adjourned at 9:15 a.m.

Next procedural steps recorded in the meeting: staff will follow up on legal review with the school’s superintendent and counsel, resolve National Grid portal access so usage data can be obtained, and the subcommittee will await answers on the funding and School Committee recommendation before procurement work resumes.