Plans are moving ahead to put solar panels on a capped landfill in Northampton, Massachusetts but, there could be a hitch.
Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz Tuesday announced the selection of Framingham-based Ameresco to develop a 3.3 megawatt solar panel array on the city’s former landfill.
In addition to clean energy, the solar array will provide the city with $9 million over 20 years in income and cost-savings. Narkewicz said it will produce about 40 percent of Northampton’s municipal electric use.
" It would literally generate enough power for all our public schools and office buildings," said Narkewicz.
The project still faces a potential roadblock, namely the state’s cap on solar net metering which is blocking new projects. The state legislature is expected to take up pending proposals this fall to raise the net metering cap.
