2020.02.10 Council Agenda Item 2
Summary
Update on Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Landfill Project.
A public comment period will not be included with this item.
ACTION: Council action is not anticipated.
Description
Background:
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).
At the October 16, 2019 Council meeting, Kimberly Darling, Energy and Sustainability Coordinator, and Pete LaFond, Chair of the Recycling and Energy Advisory Committee (REAC) delivered a presentation on 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.
An RFP (attached) was issued on October 21, 2019. The Town received submissions from 9 firms. Staff evaluated 8 of the proposals as 1 did not meet the minimum RFP requirements.
Current Status:
Staff will deliver a presentation (attached) outlining the proposal evaluation process and staff recommendation.
