Solar Array at the Falmouth Landfill
The Falmouth Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (“EDIC”), one of the municipal agencies responsible for driving increased economic growth within Falmouth, recognized the opportunity to install solar power at the Falmouth Landfill. Instead of it being an underutilized and poorly maintained property, the EDIC determined it could generate tax and lease revenue for the Town, provide lower cost, clean, local electricity for Falmouth residents, while also earning revenue for the EDIC to fund other important economic development goals and projects.
The Falmouth EDIC is extremely proud of our work to provide clean and affordable energy to our community as well as a significant financial benefits to the Town of Falmouth.
Solar Array at the Falmouth Landfill Timeline & Story
2014
The Falmouth EDIC began plans to develop a solar array on the old landfill site off of Thomas Landers Road in 2014. First, the Falmouth EDIC did a feasibility study with NSTAR to ensure they had the capacity to accept the kilowatts that would be generated. Next, they obtained a long-term ground lease from the Town of Falmouth for an 18.8-acre portion of land at the Falmouth Dept. of Public Works Waste Management property located at 0 Blacksmith Shop Road in Falmouth, MA – a capped municipal landfill known as the Falmouth Landfill. The EDIC successful applied and received a change of “permitted use” for the property to allow for ground mounted solar energy generation.
After that was accomplished, Falmouth EDIC obtained authorization from the Board of Selectmen at Town Meeting to enter into negotiations with a developer to construct a solar field. Citizens Energy provided a comprehensive bid and was chosen for the project. As a bonus, Citizens Energy agreed to develop the solar array project to generate electricity for 200+ residential homes in Falmouth that qualified with low to moderate incomes.
2016
On April 29, 2016 the Falmouth EDIC entered into a 20-year sub-lease agreement with Falmouth Landfill Solar LLC / Citizen’s Energy Corp. to develop and operate a ground mounted solar array energy generation facility on the Falmouth Landfill. Construction began in 2016. The plan was to develop the project in 2 phases.
2017 - Falmouth Landfill Solar Phase I
The Falmouth Landfill Solar Phase I, a 4 Megawatt (DC) Solar Photovoltaic System consisting of 11,742 solar panels was completed in the spring of 2017. On May 11, 2017 Joe Kennedy, Citizen’s Energy Founder and Chairman, visited the site to commission the recently finished solar project with the Falmouth EDIC and other Town leaders. Mr. Kennedy praised the EDIC and the Town of Falmouth for supporting green energy initiatives. Since inception thru January 2023 this system has generated 28,079,610 kWh of electricity and is expected to generate 99,000,000 Kilowatts (99 Gigawatts) of energy within the next 20 years. The Phase I array was projected to provide to the Town of Falmouth approximately $515,472 just in 2022 in Eversource Net Metering Credits and $63,333 in Citizen’s Energy PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes).
2021 - Falmouth Landfill Solar Phase II
The Falmouth Landfill Solar Phase II, a 2 Megawatt (DC) Solar Photovoltaic System was completed in May 2021. Commercial operations began in August 2021 and since inception thru January 2023 this system has generated 3,288,046 kWh of electricity and is expected to generate 51,000,000 kWh (51 Gigawatts) over its lifetime. In 2022, the Phase II project provided approximately $30,176 to the Town of Falmouth in Eversource Net Metering Credits and $31,668 in PILOT.
To view current metered production of solar energy output from the Solar Array at the Falmouth Landfill click here.
Economic Benefits
The Falmouth EDIC evenly shares all the solar rental income it receives from Citizen’s Energy with the Town of Falmouth, remitting $125,447 to the Town in 2022 from the Falmouth Landfill Solar projects.
Combining all revenue and credits, the Town of Falmouth received an estimated $766,096 in 2022 from the Falmouth Landfill Solar project. Over the course the 20-year agreement, the Falmouth Landfill Solar Phase I & II, developed by Falmouth EDIC, will provide the Town of Falmouth with over $15 Million dollars in economic benefits.
Citizen’s Energy * Joe-4-Sun Program
One of the elements of the Solar Phase II agreement with Citizen’s Energy Corp. was to include a program to support families in need in Falmouth. To this end, Citizens Energy created the Joe-4-Sun program composed of discounted electricity rates offered to 250 lower income Falmouth residents who meet the program qualifications. Eversource provides bill credits that will lower the electricity bills on average by $40-80 per month, saving 50% on the bill credits - about $300 a year. Since inception in September 2021 through June 2022, 16 Falmouth residents have enrolled in this program, with an approximate credit allocation of $270 per customer during this 10-month period. The benefit over the lifetime of this program is estimated to reach $1.7 Million dollars.
Citizen’s Energy is working with the leaders of the Falmouth community, the Falmouth EDIC, the School Department, Housing Authority, Service Center, and the Senior Center to ensure that all local Falmouth residents are made aware of this valuable assistance program. Apply online or mail in your application today to start saving 50% on your electric bill.
We are hopeful that further residents in Falmouth will apply and take advantage of these available savings. To learn more and how to apply to this program go to: JOE-4-SUN Falmouth | Citizens Energy .
Online Application for the Joe-4-Sun Savings Program
Paper Application for the Joe-4-Sun Savings Program
Video Presentation of Falmouth Landfill Solar Phase I during Construction
Contractors for the Falmouth Landfill Solar Project
Citizen’s Energy: Project Developer and Financier
Jim Fox Project Manager, Falmouth EDIC Board Member
Conti Construction: General Contractor
Fishback and Moore: Electrical Sub-Contractor
Power Engineers: Electrical Engineer of Record
Lawrence Lynch: Civil Engineer Sub-Contractor
Tighe and Bond: Landfill Engineer, Third Party Oversight
Scituate Companies: Concrete Sub-Contractor
Game Change Racking: Structural Engineer of Record and Vendor
For more information about the Falmouth Landfill Solar project, please contact Wayne Lingafelter.
Solar Array
Falmouth, MA 02556