But since that time Howe and others have been discussing the idea in
light of the fact that several Waitsfield residents have offered to
donate land for such a project - as much as 50 acres. Howe is a member
of Friends of the Northfield Ridge, a group formed after a commercial
wind company expressed an interest in commercial wind farming on the
Northfield Ridge.
DISCUSSION PHASE
Although the project is still in its preliminary discussion phase, Howe
said that members of the group are exploring the possibility of a solar
orchard where individuals could buy a plot, much like people buy plots
in a graveyard.
"People could buy one or as many plots as they'd like and put up as many
fixed or tracking panels as they like. The solar panels would be tied
into the grid, with the production credit from each one going back to
the individual owners," she explained.
"This way people who live along scenic corridors that may not be
appropriate for solar panels could participate, as well as those who
have small lots or own property without good solar exposure could
generate solar power," she added.
NET-METERING
In Vermont, net-metering allows individuals who install solar or wind
power systems to receive credit for feeding energy back into the grid.
Vermont also allows group net-metering so that a neighborhood, for
example, could put in solar/wind installation and have it credited back
to their association.
Howe said that a solar orchard, whether created by a group of citizens
or under the auspices of the municipality, would solve some of the
siting issues created by putting up solar panels and trackers in places
where neighbors might object and where adequate screening might not be
possible.
"We could avoid the problem of neighbors, and we really don't want to
see all these panels in the historic village or in our beautiful open
meadows," Howe said.
She said that at least two local landowners and possibly a third had expressed willingness to donate land for a solar orchard.
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