An Energy Committee strategy that seeks to maximize the solar power generation for the Town of Wellfleet

By Marcus Springer; Linnean Solutions, Springer Architects, Town of Wellfleet Energy Committee

The fundamental purpose of Wellfleet Solar is to drastically lower or eliminate Wellfleet’s carbon footprint.  Through maximizing the solar power generation in town, Wellfleet can realize a zero net energy future. This will serve to greatly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and our use of fossil fuels.  This in turn will have a positive effect on our shellfish economy, watershed and financial stability.

The strategy to maximize and expedite solar installation is to create a Solar Map of the town of Wellfleet. We are doing this through a privately funded project, performed by Mapdwell (www.mapdwell.com). In conjunction with the obvious benefits of a totally solar powered town the result will serve to educate and inform the residents, businesses and Town government of the benefits of renewable energy and the efficiencies that are created by its adoption ranging from the environmental to the economic. 

This is a LIDAR map of Wellfleet  illustrating the potential town roof structures. Image courtesy of Mapdwell.

We plan to have a Solar Map in place by the end of 2013 after which we will monitor and facilitate the installation of solar power on the rooftops of Wellfleet residential, commercial and Town owned structures. For installation we will either go through the MA CEC “solarize” program or create a “solar challenge” similar to the Town of Stowe. These two procurement routes allow for greatly reduced pricing on a tiered system depending on how many installations we can sign up.  This, in combination with the newly funded SREC program (1600MW), the 30% Federal Tax credit (sunsets in 2017) and the accelerated depreciation for commercial owners, should make installation of Solar PV pretty attractive.

(Excerpted from the USGBC MA August 2013 Newsletter)