Electric Commissioners Weigh the Cost of Solar Energy

As Earth Day celebrations continue in full swing, selectmen are struggling with a new set of regulations governing the "green" power source of solar energy, and its possible impact on the town's privately owned electric company.

Wednesday, the board put on their other hats as electric commissioners and discussed a request for proposals for two solar "farms" on two abandoned landfills in town - the large East Street landfill behind the town recycling area off Route 106, and the old Hercules Powder landfill off Stearns Avenue.

Both former landfills are owned by the town, and are capped and idle.

Town Manager Bill Ross told selectmen the proposed agreement would include three elements - a lease of the grounds, a purchase power agreement with the Mansfield Electric Department, and an interconnection agreement that would link the solar company with the town's electric company.

Still unknown is the impact increasing numbers of solar customers, both residential and commercial, would have on the MMED and its profits.

"We would buy less off the grid if we had solar," Ross told the board. "Is it worth doing?"

Board member George Dentino said the town could see the acquisition of solar power generation systems in two ways.

"The philosophy is one thing," he said. "The benefit of the community and the MMED is another."

Ross suggested the board submit the RFP and see what proposals were out there.

"It's nice to look green," said Dentino. "It's worse to look bankrupt."