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Select Board approves amended PILOT for landfill solar expansion, including battery
Summary
The board approved an amended 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for an expanded landfill solar and battery project (equipment valued at ~$6.7 million), with discussion that the battery is required to accept additional solar and that the vendor will operate a network operations center to monitor battery dispatch.
The Select Board voted to approve an amended and reinstated payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with Kearsarge for an expanded solar array and battery at the town landfill. Staff described the change as an amendment to a previously accepted pilot that fixes an annual payment in lieu of personal property tax for the life of the contract; staff cited a current equipment valuation of about $6.7 million for the expanded project.
Board members discussed the function of the battery and how it enables the town to accept more solar output. One participant noted that "the value of the battery probably shouldn't be considered when you consider the tax impact or rate because the battery is necessary only because of the amount of solar that we're putting on the site" and explained the battery will be programmed to absorb excess solar and discharge later to smooth the grid impact. The board moved and approved the amendment; staff said construction and demolition at the site could start in the coming weeks and that the vendor expects commercial operation by the end of the calendar year if permitting proceeds.
Next steps: the town and vendor will implement the amended agreement and proceed toward construction; staff will follow up on contract details and monitor construction and Eversource/ISO paperwork for interconnection.
