To the Editor:

After a two-year journey through the potholes and pitfalls of applying for a building permit, the Sippican Community Solar Garden® Cooperative cleared its final hurdle on Feb. 26. Construction actually began in late December when the permit was originally approved by the building inspector, but a cloud shaded the project when the Planning Board appealed the permit, alleging the need for a site plan review. The Zoning Board of Appeals denied this request, and the project is now emerging under clear blue sky.

Progress had been rapid until Mother Nature stepped in, blanketing the north Marion construction site in many inches of snow. As more hospitable conditions arrive, the installation should be completed in short order.

Fortunately, this project faces no obstacles in connecting to the power grid, as the substation that serves it has available capacity, unlike the solar garden being planned for Marion’s capped landfill. Shares in the solar-generated electricity from the Sippican project – called SunRights™ – are already available for purchase by residents and businesses throughout the local area served by Eversource (formerly NSTAR.)

Each SunRight™ costs $5,000, which entitles the owner to receive discounted electricity worth at least $7,200 over ten years. The discount is applied directly to one’s regular electric bill. If Eversource’s price of electricity continues to rise, so will the return on each Sunright™.

Nearly three-quarters of the shares have already been spoken for, though, so if you’re interested in purchasing one or more, don’t dawdle. More information about the program and obtaining shares can be found on the project website: www.sippicancommunitysolargarden.com.

An informative article about community solar farms blossoming around the country is available here: www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/03/07/new-concept-in-solar-energy-poised-to-catch-on-across-us.

Norm Hills and Jennifer Francis
Marion Energy Management Committee