Community Corner

Sudbury Solar One Facility Ready for Operation

Ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for Nov. 13 at Transfer Station.

The Sudbury Board of Selectmen, with the Sudbury Energy Committee, announced on Nov. 7 that the photovoltaic solar facility located on the Town’s closed landfill is ready to go into operation and provide electricity, which will save Sudbury taxpayers significant dollars over the future. 

A Ribbon Cutting ceremony to officially launch Sudbury Solar One will be held at 10 a.m. on Nov. 13, at the Sudbury Transfer Station at 20 Boston Post Road (Route 20). 

The public is invited to attend. 

Find out what's happening in Sudburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Board of Selectmen Chairman John Drobinski said the project is an important part of Sudbury’s Green Community plans and efforts. 

“Since Sudbury was designated by the state as a Green Community in July 2010, we have implemented many green projects but this one is probably the most significant with respect to economic and environmental benefits for Sudbury.” Drobinski said. “This project allows Sudbury to turn the non-productive closed landfill into an asset that will help Sudbury manage energy costs and contribute to reducing greenhouse gases and renewable energy in Massachusetts”. 

Find out what's happening in Sudburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The facility was designed and constructed, and will be operated and maintained by Ameresco, Inc. of Framingham. The Town selected Ameresco with the assistance of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), based on the company’s expertise, reputation in the field, and local presence. Energy Committee Chairman Bill Braun stated that the Sudbury Solar One facility is expected to generate 1.9 million kWh of AC power annually, and the savings will accrue equally to Town owned buildings and Sudbury Public Schools. 

“We are delighted to have worked closely with the Town of Sudbury’s energy committee volunteers, town selectmen, and town officials to deliver a sustainable solar energy project on top of the municipality’s closed and capped landfill,” said Jim Walker, director of Solar Energy. “Our engineering, construction financing, and construction services – delivered by our dedicated teams of specialists — built this high-quality, 1.5 MW solar farm that is expected to generate 1.9 million kWh in its first operating year from more than 6,000, 250-watt modules on the site.” 

Getting to this stage of opening the facility has been a long process, involving vendor interviews, stakeholder education, development of a power purchase agreement, design and permitting, and construction oversight. Braun said that many town staff, volunteers, boards and committees willingly contributed significant talent and effort to make it happen, in particular Jim Kelly (Sudbury's combined facilities director), Bill Place (DPW director) and the members of the Energy Committee. “This project is a great example of commitment and collaboration by state and local government personnel, public and private interests, and volunteer efforts.” 

The Sudbury Energy Committee was created by the Board of Selectmen to provide a mechanism to assist the Board and Town Manager in developing programs and projects to foster energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy generation and sustainability planning. Development of a solar facility on the closed landfill has been one of the Board’s priorities and the Selectmen are pleased to see this solar facility project ready for operation. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here