Last modified: Monday, August 25, 2008 8:43 AM EDT The possibility of using the wide, open expanse of the landfill for rows of solar panels was suggested to Electric Commissioner Thomas Corrigan by former Selectman Louis Lema. Corrigan brought the idea forward at a recent electric commission meeting for further study and consideration. A bright idea for energy in North BY AMY DeMELIA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - Imagine the grassy slopes of the closed Mount Hope Street landfill covered with an array of solar panels generating electricity for the town. The idea is just a concept - but one of several ideas North Attleboro Electric is looking at to generate electricity locally, rather than buying power on the open market. The possibility of using the wide, open expanse of the landfill for rows of solar panels was suggested to Electric Commissioner Thomas Corrigan by former Selectman Louis Lema. Corrigan brought the idea forward at a recent electric commission meeting for further study and consideration. "We have that land available, and maybe there will be some grants we could get for green power so we could build solar panels at the landfill," Corrigan said. "It's just an idea for the future. I'm not saying it's going to happen. But if we don't look toward the future, what do we leave for a legacy?" It is only one of a number of ideas the electric department will study as it looks to generate some of its own power in the long-range future. "It really involves developing energy resources - both by the conventional methods of gas and oil and though green methods like wind and solar power," General Manager James Moynihan said. "This is long-term planning, but we are looking at developing some local energy resources." In addition to the solar panel idea, North Attleboro Electric is exploring the possibility of installing a five-megawatt generator at the Sherman substation to help the town with its power needs. The generator would only fill a small amount of the town's daily power needs, which has peaked at 63 megawatts. "The key is to develop some stuff locally to address some of our needs at peak demand, so we can avoid buying power on the market," Moynihan explained. It is not the first time that North Attleboro Electric has looked at the possibility of investing in local green power. The department had studied the possibility of putting a wind turbine in town, but found the project is not feasible at the landfill because the turbine would be too heavy to sit on the hilltop. The possibility of placing a wind turbine on Sunrise Hill in World War I Memorial Park, which is the highest point in Bristol County, has also been considered. However, it would require a wind turbine that is 160 to 170 feet tall - almost double the height of the 85-foot fire tower already in the park. Moynihan said it would cost $20,000 to fully develop the amount of wind data needed to determine whether that project is feasible, in a location that has been classified as "marginal" from the start. "It would cost $4 to $5 million to construct," Moynihan said. "If something that costs $5 million only operates about 20 percent of the time, is that a viable utilization?" AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.