For communities in the northeastern United States, it was a long cold winter and many leaders are considering alternative energy sources as a means for future cost savings. The Town of Milton, NH, looked at this idea early on.  In 2014, the town entered into a contract with NhSolarGarden, a New Hampshire-based company that provides solutions to the growing, economic, social and health related issues through the use of solar energy and sustainable development, to build a “solar garden.”

The contract allows the company to lease the top of Milton’s capped landfill and install a solar garden for the purpose of selling electricity back to the local utility, Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH).  In addition to the lease money, anyone who participates in the garden receives an annual rebate check.  The garden includes all of Milton’s municipal-owned buildings, street lights, and the water precinct buildings (a separate entity).

Because the schools in town were not receiving their electricity directly from PSNH, they couldn’t participate in the garden.  This left a shortage in the garden, so the town decided to open it up to local businesses. If not enough businesses joined, then the town would allow residents to join on a first come first serve basis.  Just enough businesses signed up to participate. 

The garden is now full.  The NH Department of Environment Services and Milton’s engineers have been brought into the picture by NhSolarGarden and plans are moving forward nicely.  The panels and equipment are owned by NhSolarGarden, and the company is responsible for construction and maintenance of the garden.  Milton simply leased the land to the company, and receives an annual rebate check.  Construction will begin in the spring of 2015.

Our thanks to Elizabeth Dionne, Town Administrator, Town of Milton, NH for sharing Milton's story.