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A bright idea for energy in North
 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.
Top Headlines 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.  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.
"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.
Post Your Comments smorizio wrote on Aug 25, 2008 4:53 PM: " it nice talking about making clean energy but what about saving it by using led street lights.the dept of energy and cree has programs for towns called ledcity were towns can become host sites for led street lights.the dept of energy hopes to cut the cost of them in half in the next 18 months.as led lighting runs 5x more then hps lighting. " realist wrote on Aug 25, 2008 1:49 PM: " Sorry - doug " realist wrote on Aug 25, 2008 1:48 PM: " dougd -- I agree the maintenance won't be like a mechanical generator,but an array of this size might have motors to allow movement to get the optimal angle. " attlebrockton wrote on Aug 25, 2008 12:42 PM: " anyone here going to the special city council meeting on the ARA tonight? " doug wrote on Aug 25, 2008 11:00 AM: " raelist...in addition: no moving parts!! " doug wrote on Aug 25, 2008 10:59 AM: " realist....good point! There is always the question of damage but..... my only maintenance has been windex and paper towels twice a year. they produce the same power as they did 18 years ago. " realist wrote on Aug 25, 2008 10:34 AM: " The town squandered years worth of methane gas from the landfill. Let's take this proposal seriously as well as others that people may propose. Perhaps NAED should appoint a board, like the cable advisory board, to look into options and feasibility. One caveat, even solar cells don't run for free. Maintenance is needed. " doug wrote on Aug 25, 2008 9:29 AM: " If there is anyone out there that is concerned about a news item saying that the production of photo voltaic panels is bad due to generating toxic waste in the process of making them I offer this experiance...I use PV panels to power a home in Maine. It works very well AND I get NO electric bill. I still use the panels I purchased in 1991. they work as well now as they did then. They came from an Arco research facility and were 25 years old when I bought them in 1991.18 years ago! I believe I have about $4000 invested in the system....that is roughly $18.50 per month. I run a well pump, lights, tv...occasional hair dryer as well as other small appliances. GREAT!!! " or
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