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Village approves National Grid interconnection study as solar plan exposed facility repairs and timeline risks
Summary
Solar Liberty representative told the board the WWTF roofs must be repaired and that National Grid approvals, inspections and zoning could delay installation about a year; the board voted to initiate a non‑binding interconnection study with National Grid.
Mayor Gregory Rogers convened the Village of Le Roy Board of Trustees and heard a presentation from Dean Stanfield of Solar Liberty about a proposed solar installation at the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF).
Stanfield told the board that federal energy incentives make the project financially attractive but that recent information shows the WWTF roofs must be repaired before panels can be installed and that National Grid’s Interconnection Review, local zoning approvals and inspections could delay actual construction by roughly a year. "...the WWTF roofs need to be repaired before solar equipment can be installed, that actual installation can’t be done for another year due to zoning, inspections, and approval from National Grid, and if the Village can’t take advantage of the incentives quick enough, his cost and savings projections won’t be valid," Stanfield said during the presentation (per meeting minutes). Trustee Richard Tetrault also raised a related infrastructure concern, estimating the WWTF transformer may need replacement at an approximate cost of $30,000.
To advance evaluation of grid connection feasibility, Trustee James Bonacquisti moved to adopt a resolution initiating a non‑binding Interconnection Review Study with National Grid; Trustee Raymond Yacuzzo seconded the motion, and the board voted unanimously to proceed. The motion directs staff to begin the study but does not commit the village to construction or to accepting any project proposal. The board discussed rooftop repairs, potential repairs/replace timing, and coordination with the sewer department before any procurement decisions.
Next steps identified in the meeting record include completing the interconnection study with National Grid, assessing roof-repair options and costs, and reconciling those costs and timelines with the incentives schedule Stanfield presented. The board did not authorize construction spending; the study and repairs will inform future approvals and any budget requests.
