Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Public Post is a community reporting initiative using digital tools to report on cities and towns across Vermont.Public Post is the only resource that lets you browse and search documents across dozens of Vermont municipal websites in one place.Follow reporter Amy Kolb Noyes and #PublicPost on Twitter and read news from the Post below.

Towns Going Solar

Town of Marshfield

A growing number of Vermont towns are taking a look at powering municipal buildings via solar arrays.

This month the town of Thetfordsent out a Request For Information to companies that could help the town construct a "community/municipal solar farm."

In Worcester, the select board met with a solar development company earlier this month:

Alex and Lou Bravakis from Novus Energy Development presented a proposal to develop a small scale solar project that would potentially allow the town offices and buildings to purchase electricity at a discounted rate. The board agreed it sounded like a good idea and to pursue the matter further: The next step is to identify a viable location. This project is in the planning stages and voter approval will be needed t o complete the project.

The CambridgeSelect Board recently discussed solar options with David Hallquist, head of the Vermont Electric Co-op. One option that town is considering is installing a solar project on 20 acres of the Town's 32-acre gravel pit.

Sharon claims to be one of the most solar dependent communities in the world, per capita. And now the town is planning to install solar power for its schools. The Sharon Solar Partnership is taking the lead on that project, according to recent select board minutes:

Sharon Solar Partnership: Paul Haskell presented an update from the Sharon Solar partnership and requested authorization for the partnership to proceed to the next phase which will be financing, design and permitting. Brad Atwood made a MOTION to authorize the Sharon Solar Partnership to proceed to the next phase - financing, design and permitting, seconded by Mary Gavin; MOTION carried.

Marshfield installed an array in January, and as of the end of May the town had received $ 1,617 for the energy produced. Through a link on the town website, residents there can check up on the numbers to see how much energy the project is producing.

As the cost of solar energy  equipment comes down, Vermont could become home to an increasing number of municipal solar arrays.

Amy is an award winning journalist who has worked in print and radio in Vermont since 1991. Her first job in professional radio was at WVMX in Stowe, where she worked as News Director and co-host of The Morning Show. She was a VPR contributor from 2006 to 2020.
Latest Stories