Solar Project Promised an ‘Expeditious’ Process

The Marion Planning Board heard the gist of the plan for a new solar energy facility slated for Tucker Lane, and Chairman Robert Lane on June 1 promised Clean Energy Collective representatives a Planning Board process “as smooth and expeditious as possible.”

This solar farm project will be the first in the Town of Marion under the Town’s new solar bylaw.

Still in the preliminary stages of planning before a submitted application for a Special Permit, the one-megawatt solar farm will produce electricity for a program called “SolarPerks” that offers all EverSource customers the chance to go solar, while also receiving a 5-percent discount off their monthly bill.

Community Solar Manager for Clean Energy Collective Greg Carey said their solar energy program is different from others because, instead of selling the electricity to municipalities and pumping the excess back into the grid, the program offers solar energy directly to the residents with no money down.

“Residents who want to go solar … but perhaps can’t afford to put solar on their house,” said Carey. “And residents get a discount each month on their electric bill.”

The 6.5-acre lot has been a field for as long as any of the board members could remember, meaning no clear-cutting of trees and brush is needed for preconstruction. The access point for the solar farm would be from a Rochester entry point off Mary’s Pond Road with the actual facility in Marion.

Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineering said he would be seeking a couple of waivers on behalf of his client, including one for height. The height of the solar arrays will be 8 feet, but the bylaw states that the arrays cannot exceed 8 feet beyond the natural grading of the site. Madden had some concerns about a slight slope on the property.

“Where it’s a newer bylaw,” said Madden, “…I think there’s a little learning and working together … to be sure we have the proper interpretation of the bylaw.”

Lane concurred, but declined to give Madden or Carey any definitive answers to their questions about waivers and filing fees.

“As far as what I’ve seen here, I don’t have any real problem with what they’re proposing,” said board member Norman Hills.

Planning Board member Jennifer Francis, after a question about the history of the clearing of the site stated, “It looks like a great spot for a solar array to me.”

“The applicant is anxious to get going on his project,” said Madden. “We’ll wait to hear back from you folks.”

Lane again told Madden to expect a process “as expeditiously as possible.”

The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for June 15 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

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