Derry, NH’s unused capped landfill is the site for town’s new 2.2-MW solar array.

The Derry, New Hampshire Town Council has finalized the contracts for a new 2.2-MW solar array to be developed by Encore Renewable Energy that will be one of the largest solar arrays in the state. Encore will finance, design, construct, install, operate and maintain the 2.2-MW ground-mounted solar project, designated Derry Solar LLC, located on a closed and capped municipal solid waste landfill owned by the Town of Derry. Once complete, the solar project will help the Town realize an estimated $3.5 million in energy savings over the project’s 25-year contract and help meet the Town Council’s goal for 100% renewable energy for the Town of Derry two years ahead of its original goal of 2025.

“This project is the culmination of six years of planning and engineering work performed by the volunteers of the Net Zero Task Force,” said chairman Jeff Moulton. “In advance of this project, the Task Force benchmarked the energy use of all 40 town and school buildings, implemented a number of energy initiatives that are currently saving the Town over $900,000/year, and in 2018 installed an 86-kW solar project at the Town’s transfer station, currently performing above its expected output.”

The Task Force of professional engineers, business people, energy experts and representatives from key Town groups such as schools, Public Works, Planning Board, Code Enforcement, Conservation Committee, Economic Development and members of the Public began working on this project over two years ago. The group collaborated on messaging and advocacy to the community, and supported the required state legislative action and obtaining buy-in from Governor Chris Sununu.

Encore Renewable Energy was selected from a group of seven firms through a competitive Request for Proposal bidding process solicited by the Town of Derry in September 2021. In addition to the energy savings for the town, the solar project will be built with no upfront costs to the community. The site also offers the potential opportunity to expand the project in the future.

“Tapping into the opportunity for sustainable energy development on under-valued properties like landfills is part of the DNA of our company,” said Chad Farrell, CEO and founder of Encore Renewable Energy. “We’re excited to bring our deep expertise in the reuse of landfills as host sites for community-scale solar arrays to Derry to help support the community’s transition to the clean energy economy.”

News item from Encore Renewable Energy