CONWAY — If a proposed solar project drafted by the town’s Energy Committee moves forward as planned, photovoltaic panels could soon cover a large field near the Grammar School.
Following the successful Solarize Massachusetts-Shelburne-Colrain-Conway cost-share initiative, which is wrapping up this month, Brice Hereford, of the Energy Committee, said officials have set their sights on a 250-killowatt solar field on a town-owned parcel north of the elementary school.
“Such an array is projected to produce virtually all of the electricity used by municipal offices and garage, street lights and the elementary school,” Hereford noted.
As to how it’ll be funded, Hereford said the Energy Committee is “discussing various approaches and working on their long term ramifications.” He said when the state Department of Energy Resources releases net metering plans “and other efforts encouraging (solar) growth” early next year, the committee will have a better idea of how to proceed.
The project kicked off about a year ago when the town was awarded a state Municipal Energy Technical Assistance grant to hire consultants, who’ve since advised officials about the feasibility of bringing more solar energy into town.
“The Energy Committee, based on the consultants’ research and recommendations, will propose to the Selectboard, the Finance Committee and the Planning Board that the town purchase” an array, Hereford added.
“Based on those committees’ recommendations, the next step would be to present the idea at a town information session,” Hereford continued. “Assuming continued support, the Energy Committee would work to bring this proposal before Town Meeting in the spring.”
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