Branford may save by adding solar panel field at landfill

Feb 27 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Alexandra Sanders New Haven Register, Conn.

Plans are in the works to make the town more energy-efficient, and thus save money, by placing a solar panel field at the landfill.

The Board of Selectmen recently approved a plan to cover about three acres on the southern part of the nearly 20-acre landfill with solar panels or, as an alternative, cover four or five acres of the neighboring Tabor Drive site that is being eyed for a new public works garage. The plans are being developed by the engineering company Fuss and O'Neill.

The landfill will be closed in early summer and Mario Ricozzi, chairman of the Solid Waste Commission, said the solar panels could be set up in about a year.

Town officials are looking for a company to install, operate and maintain the equipment at no cost to the town. Ricozzi explained that the owner of the solar array will get tax credits and then essentially sell the town electricity at a reduced rate.

"The only funds I envision the town spending are (related to) the attorney reviewing the contract and our landfill consultant reviewing the design," said Ricozzi.

Art Baker, director of the Public Works Department, added that the opportunity may depend on grant opportunities and approvals.

Ricozzi said the panels have about a 20-year life and the town's contract with an operator will last about that long. In those two decades or so, the town will not be responsible for any maintenance at the landfill.

The panels will produce between 0.6 and 1 megawatt, which equates to about $15,000 savings on energy for the town annually. Ricozzi said the energy from the source would be focused on the town's five largest energy consumers, such as Branford High School, the future Public Works Department garage and streetlights.

"We really have heard nothing but positive things from (the community) about this," said Ricozzi. He noted that Hartford has done it at its landfill along Interstate 91, but it owns the solar field, and that North Haven announced that it plans to put solar panels on its landfills.

He added that the landfill is the perfect spot, because solar panels require a large area without shade.

Ricozzi anticipates recommending an operator to the Board of Selectmen March 7.

Contact Alexandra Sanders at 203-789-5714. Follow her on Twitter @asanders88. To receive breaking news first, text the word nhnews to 22700. *Msg+data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.