Princetown adopts commercial solar law

PRINCETOWN — A new local law will allow for the construction of large-scale solar arrays in parts of Princetown.

The Town Board unanimously adopted the law last week, following interest from Teichos Energy, of Seattle, which may lease a piece of farmland to build a 19.9-megawatt solar farm. Previously, there were no regulations or standards for applying to build such a solar array.

The concept of allowing commercial-scale solar energy generation farms in Princetown encountered some initial opposition from Town Board members concerned it could affect the town’s rural character, but after months of discussion, the law was adopted unanimously.

Schenectady County officials have been actively promoting development of solar energy, and the state has offered financial support to a number of solar projects.

“We had some interest in it, and the county is pushing for this, and state is pushing for this,” said Town Supervisor Lou Esposito.

The new law says such arrays must be located on properties with a minimum of 100 acres. That means, in practical terms, applications are most likely to be for farmland; solar arrays potentially will be a way for farmers to generate money during lean economic times.

“Farming has not been in a terribly lucrative situation. Raising cows and producing milk has been become an exercise in losing money,” said town Councilman James Pavoldi.

The law also states the solar arrays must be screened from neighbors and cannot cause unreasonable glare.

“If it’s done properly, there shouldn’t be any resistance at all,” Esposito said.

The town worked with Daniel A. Spitzer, a Buffalo attorney who specializes in clean energy legislation, to develop the law. His services were paid for by Teichos, through an escrow account it established with the town.

“It hasn’t cost the town any money,” Esposito said.

Board members said the 100-acre minimum was an important condition to prevent the town from becoming home to a large number of arrays.

“What we don’t want is to have a small amount of solar arrays dotted all over the community,” Pavoldi said. “That single parameter will limit the number of places that it can happen.”

Any solar array will be on the town tax rolls, but board members said they anticipate the town negotiating a host community payment, since Princetown doesn’t have a townwide property tax.

The law is specific to large commercial solar arrays. Residential projects — solar panels on a home’s roof, for instance — are already allowed by permit.

Teichos Energy describes itself as a utility‐scale renewable energy developer. It was founded in 2012, but the company said its partners have years of experience and have developed 2,500 megawatts of solar arrays. A 19.99-megawatt project would provide about enough energy to supply 4,000 homes.

“If it provides some clean energy and some money for the taxpayers, that benefits everyone. It’s incumbent on us to do that,” Pavoldi said.

If Teichos or any other company does apply, that application would need to be reviewed by the town Planning Board, and would then be subject to final approval by the Town Board.

Reach Daily Gazette reporter Stephen Williams at 518-395-3086, swilliams@dailygazette.net or @gazettesteve on Twitter.