[Massplanners] Solar Array Info

[Laura Harbottle]

Good morning Massplanners,
Thank you so much for the help with issues concerning a proposed solar
array. The size of what is proposed here is actually 184 kWh. But even a
small array will still potentially impact natural resources and have public
safety considerations.

I heard from one city and seven towns, most outside Route 495. In case this
is helpful to any of you, here are the issues they talked about grouped
roughly by general subject:


   -

   Visibility from the street; setbacks



   -

   Removal of trees (Four towns mentioned this.)
   -

   Fencing around solar arrays can interrupt wildlife corridors (Two towns
   mentioned this.)
   -

   Net reduction in available agricultural soils
   -

   Stormwater generated when the array is constructed and from the panels
   themselves. One town had topsoil stripped and sold by the solar developer
   with ongoing erosion issues post-construction. Several towns were concerned
   about the impact of stormwater on nearby wetlands.
   -

   Some towns have required adding several inches of loam after
   construction and planting wildflower mix or pollinator species to prevent
   erosion and mitigate loss of habitat. Inspections are being required during
   construction to make sure stormwater is being properly handled.



   -

   Public Safety departments are concerned with flammable materials in the
   storage batteries (Two towns mentioned this.)
   -

   There should be emergency access to the panels (within the fenced
   area.)



   -

   Multiple towns talked about getting a performance bond to guarantee
   construction and as a guarantee if decommissioning was necessary.


Thanks again,

Laura Harbottle AICP
Interim Town Planner
5 Springdale Ave.
Dover, MA 02030
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