The Derry, New Hampshire City Council has finalized the contract for a new 2.2-megawatt solar array developed by Encore Renewable Energy that will be one of the largest in the state. Encore will finance, design, build, install, operate and maintain a 2.2 MW ground-mounted solar project called Derry Solar LLC, located in a closed and enclosed municipal solid waste landfill owned by the town of Derry. Once completed, the solar project will help the town achieve approximately $3.5 million in energy savings over the project's 25-year contract and help meet the city council's goal of achieving 100 percent renewable energy in the town of Derry, two years ahead of its original goal. Year to achieve 2025.

“This project is the culmination of six years of planning and engineering work by Net Zero Task Force volunteers,” said chair Jeff Moulton. “Prior to this project, the task force benchmarked energy use in all 40 towns and school buildings, implemented multiple energy initiatives that currently save the town over $900,000 annually, and installed an 86-kilowatt kWh in 2018. The town’s transit station for solar projects is currently performing better than expected.”

A working group of professional engineers, business people, energy experts and representatives from key town groups including schools, public works, planning boards, code enforcement, conservation boards, economic development and the public and the public began work on the project more than two years ago . The group has collaborated in communicating information and advocacy to the community and supporting required state legislative action and with the support of Governor Chris Sununu.

Encore Renewable Energy was selected from seven companies through a competitive tender process called for by the Town of Derry in September 2021. In addition to saving energy for the town, the solar project will be constructed with no upfront cost to the community. The site also offers potential opportunities to expand the project in the future.

"The opportunity to develop sustainable energy from undervalued assets such as landfills is part of our company DNA," said Chad Farrell, CEO and founder of Encore Renewable Energy. Leveraging deep expertise in bringing to Delhi as a hosting location for community-scale solar panels to help support the community’s transition to a clean energy economy.”