2019.10.16 Council Agenda Item 6

Summary

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Landfill Pre-Bid Presentation

A public comment period will not be included with this item.

ACTION: Council action is not anticipated.

Description

Since late 2015, the Town has been exploring the feasibility of installing a large-scale solar photovoltaic system on the Woods Road capped landfill. That work included Falmouth representing municipalities during the 2016 Maine Public Utlities Commission Solar Stakeholder Process to draft LD 1649, which failed passage by two votes.

A large-scale system is more financially feasible than in previous years due to new changes in State Solar Legislation, allowing larger systems (to capture economies of scale) as well as an expansion of metering/electrical account options (only 10 accounts were allowed under the prior rules; now unlimited).

The presentation will be delivered by Kimberly Darling, Energy and Sustainability Coordinator, and Pete LaFond, Chair of the Recycling and Energy Advisory Committee (REAC). It will include solar, electricity and billing basics; the major components of the Request for Proposals (RFP), which includes the work that has been done to date; potential financing options; and the expected project timeline. The presentation will be posted as a link on this web page prior to 7 pm on Oct 16.

A copy of the RFP is attached below. All appendixes to the RFP will be attached prior to the Council meeting.