2016.02.08 Council Agenda Item 04
Summary
Resolution supporting a Market Based Approach to expanding opportunities for Municipal, Small Business, and Large Scale Solar Projects in Maine.
A public comment period will be included with this item (3 minutes).
ACTION: Council action is anticipated.
Description
In 2007, Falmouth signed the Mayor’s Climate Agreement, which holds the Town accountable to meet an annual emission reduction goal of 2%. The Town contracted with TRC, an engineering firm, to conduct a geotechnical and preliminary electrical analysis for the capped landfill on Woods Rd. They have determined that the site is suitable for a solar system size of 1,159 kW, providing as much as 1,522,000 kWh of power production in the first year. A system of this size would not be possible under current state regulations.
Recognizing both the potential to develop more solar in Maine and the need to revise regulations to recognize new markets for solar, the Legislature directed the Public Utilities Commission to convene a stakeholders process to explore new approaches for solar energy. Solar developers, utilities, conservation organizations, and municipalities participated in seven meetings through the fall and early winter of 2015-2016. The Office of the Public Advocate, who led the Stakeholders meetings, is working to draft legislation.
The attached resolution would express the Town’s support for proposed regulatory reforms that should greatly expand opportunities in Maine’s solar market; specifically medium and larger-scale solar markets. A copy of the proposed resolution and a memo from Energy and Sustainability Coordinator Kimberly Darling are attached.
