Why Solar Energy is Right for Wayland
Wayland voters will be asked to decide at April’s Town Meeting on a proposal to construct four solar power projects, including parking lot canopies at the high school, middle school and town building as well as roof-mounted panels at the new DPW building. The proposal is the result of months of analysis by the Energy Initiatives Advisory Committee and has the unanimous support of the Selectmen, Finance Committee, and School Committee. Once construction is completed by local energy services company, Ameresco, the facilities are expected to save the town $140,000 in its first year of operation and over $3 million over the next 20 years according to Energy Advisory Committee co-chair Ellen Tohn who stated that, “We hope that Wayland’s citizens will turn out in mass to support this project which not only saves the Town significant dollars, but solidifies Wayland’s leadership as a green community.”
Why Solar Now?
- It’s Green Energy: Increases Wayland’s use of renewable energy to meet our “Green Community” commitment. As a state designated Green Community we have obtained over $375,000 in state grant funds to pursue energy efficiency projects. The solar projects will generate roughly 25% of the electricity Wayland currently uses in its municipal operations.
- It Provides Back up Power: The system at the middle school will be designed to provide back-up solar power for the school, which serves as the Town’s emergency shelter. If the electric grid goes down after a big storm, and the sun is shining, the solar canopies will help reduce the use of our more polluting back up diesel generators, and extend shelter operation.
- It Creates Economic Benefits and Costs Us Nothing: The four projects will produce economic benefits by reducing town municipal electricity costs and generating annual property tax payments by Ameresco. The projects are estimated to generate $140,000 in year 1 and potentially $3.3 million over 20 years with no costs to Wayland in building or operating the systems.
How Will the Systems Operate?
Ameresco will construct, operate and maintain the systems at NO cost to Wayland. Ameresco was selected through a regional procurement process run by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The company has a solid track record, having worked with numerous Massachusetts towns including: Natick, Sudbury, Waltham, Newton, Lowell, and Acton. The Town has also secured state funds to enable the solar system at the Middle School (a town emergency shelter) to supply back up power if the electricity grid goes down.
So how will Wayland benefit financially? Wayland will transfer the solar power we buy from Ameresco to the utility and receive dollar credits (net metering credits). The credits will be applied to the Town’s existing utility bills, producing savings in our energy bills. (This approach provides greater savings than using the electricity directly in our buildings.) The Town will also receive annual property tax payments from Ameresco on their solar systems.
The overall project will also engage our students and residents in learning more about green energy. Ameresco will provide Wayland schools with curriculum enrichment to allow our students to learn from the solar systems. Public displays at the schools and town building will also enable all residents to see the solar production and reduction in greenhouse gases as a result of the operation.
Next Steps
Town Meeting approval of Article 14 is needed to move forward. If Town Meeting votes in favor of the article, the Town will complete negotiations of the contract with Ameresco. Ameresco plans to start construction at the High School and Middle School immediately following the end of the school year to minimize disruption to students. Work at the Town Building parking lot is expected to begin in late summer. The DPW roof solar installation will take place in the fall.
For more information go to the Energy Initiative Advisory Committee web page accessible at:
http://www.wayland.ma.us/Pages/WaylandMA_BComm/Energy/index
Energy Initiative Advisory Committee Members: Ellen Tohn, Anne Harris, Harvey Michaels, Tom Sciacca, BillHuss. Associate Members: John Harper, Mike Staiti, Corinne Lenk
