Solar Panel Proposed for Construction at Winchester Transfer Station

The Energy Management Committee told selectment thi sweek that constructing a solar panel at the town's transfer station could not only save the town money, but also generate more than enough energy to power the Transfer Station and put power back on the grid.

“Hypothetically, the panel would house 538 kilowatts, which is more than enough to power the Transfer Station,” Winchester Energy Conservation Coordinator Susan McPhee said. “The extra power would turn the meter backwards and the credit would be applied to the highest consumer of energy in town, which is Winchester High School.”

McPhee said the estimated kilowatt-hours produced from the solar panel would equal about 645,000 kilowatt-hours. The used 700,000 kilowatt-hours last year. According to McPhee, the solar panel would be paid for through a Power Purchase Agreement and no taxpayer dollars would be spent on the construction.

“We are waiting for the town and the Trash Pickers to work together to figure out the recycling situation,” McPhee said. “This is a series of dominoes, but if it does work out, it is a win-win situation for the town.”