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Sharon MSOC hears construction timelines for Mountain Street landfill and Middle School solar; Well #5 array begins operation
Summary
At its Jan. 5, 2026 Zoom meeting the Municipal Solar Oversight Committee reviewed construction progress at the Mountain Street Landfill, confirmed that the Well #5 solar array is operating, discussed Middle School canopy and roof work, and noted contract and grid-capacity constraints for larger community projects; the town energy coordinator announced his departure.
The Municipal Solar Oversight Committee met by Zoom on Jan. 5, 2026 and heard progress reports on several municipal solar projects, including a construction update on the Mountain Street Landfill array and a report that the Well #5 array has begun operating. The meeting opened at 4:30 p.m. and adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
The most immediate construction item is the Mountain Street Landfill project. Tony Noweski of DSD Renewables reported that crews are building equipment pads for inverters, batteries and electrical gear and that mechanical completion is expected in February 2026. He said one Eversource distribution pole has been installed and a second pole is expected but presently has no schedule; Noweski said final electrical inspection certification will be provided to Eversource after Town sign-off. The committee was told the landfill array is expected to begin operation in the second quarter of 2026.
Allen Giles of Solect Energy reported the Well #5 installation has received permission to operate from Eversource and that operation has commenced. Town Energy Coordinator Steve Solbo was asked to follow up on adding the Well #5 output to the Town’s public kWh-output spreadsheet.
Members also discussed two related Middle School projects. Giles said the solar canopy is expected to receive a certificate of completion by mid-February 2026 but that Eversource must schedule a witness test before a Notice to Operate is issued; Giles said he will confirm whether the Town has signed off on ministerial permits and may request Town assistance to expedite testing. Giles additionally will follow up on a quote from Solect Services Group to remove older rooftop panels and related equipment for the Middle School roof project; no quote was available at the meeting.
On projects in development, the committee heard that Solect must wait until March 2026 before installing panels on the Library roof so the Library Board of Trustees can confirm the new roof is leakproof. The Ames Field canopy project was reported as having a Credit Purchase Agreement and Lease approved by the Select Board on Dec. 18, 2025; Solect said the CPA and Lease are ready for signature and will include brickwork to conceal visible steel uprights facing Pond Street.
Allen Giles flagged a constraint for larger proposed community solar projects: Eversource feeder lines are shown as at capacity, which can force additional interconnection studies. Giles referenced the transcript citation to “DPU” and noted the transcript states projects under 250 kW are exempt from the ASO study requirement. The committee discussed this feeder-capacity issue as a factor that can limit larger community-scale installations and trigger additional engineering work.
The committee also reviewed other potential town-building solar opportunities and noted a timing constraint for federal tax incentives: Solect reported contracts must be signed before June 30, 2026 to safe-harbor the federal investment tax credit (ITC). Committee members asked staff and vendors to track contract timing and permitting so projects can meet that deadline if feasible.
Finally, Town Energy Coordinator Steve Solbo announced he will leave Town employment effective Jan. 23, 2026; the committee discussed transition of his energy-related responsibilities and expressed thanks for his support of MSOC. The minutes note that the minutes of Dec. 8, 2025 were approved and that an approval vote of 3-0 was recorded at a meeting on April 13, 2026. The committee identified Feb. 9 and Feb. 23 as target dates for the next meeting.
The meeting record includes kWh-output spreadsheets for operating projects and action items for follow-up on permitting, interconnection scheduling, contract execution timing, and website updates.
