The Sharon selectmen voted 3-0 to approve a 20-year contract with Green Renewables LLC for a solar facility in the town.
The facility would provide credits to allow Sharon to power their school and municipal buildings. The credits, at least at energy prices right now, are cheaper than power provided by out of town means.
Current estimates it will save the town about $79,000 in energy costs each year.
Find out what's happening in Sharonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The project will take over about 22 percent of Sharon’s energy needs during the contract. Selectman William Heitin said he would like to see that number grow in the future.
“We want to get more than 22 percent out of this project,” Heitin said. “It ends up being about 50 percent of the cost. This board has worked hard to find new revenue and this is a way to reduce expenses in a very green fashion.”
Find out what's happening in Sharonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Currently, the town spends about $900,000 on electric supply and delivery. Selectmen said they are working with Green Renewables to make another contract for another solar facility in the future to help make more solar power.
The risk is that the energy credits can only be used for solar energy and would be wasted if not used each year.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
