Project: New Haven Solar Farm, New Haven, Vermont
- In 2010 this was the largest planned solar farm in the State of Vermont
- The project is integrated with a sustainable agricultural business, establishing an entirely unique business model in the region
- The site is highly visible from Vermont Route 7 and permitting work required extensive coordination with neighbors and the regional planning commission
- Granted a Certificate of Public Good in July 2011
Project Description
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Cross Pollinator LLC had a big vision for property it controlled along Route 7 in New Haven, Vermont. Seeing favorable project funding opportunities through the Vermont SPEED (Sustainably Priced Energy Development) Program, they began to develop a business model integrating a 2 MW photovoltaic solar array along with a sustainable organic farming operation. The unique combination of elements would become a “game changer” in the historically agricultural community.
SE Group was retained to work with legal counsel Paul Frank and Collins on addressing the land use and visual impact issues related to the project under the Certificate of Public Good (CPG) process through the Vermont Public Service Board. The uniqueness of the project, coupled with its high degree of visibility, would make addressing the potential impacts more challenging. This was particularly true for those few neighbors who were in close proximity and most directly impacted.
SE Group spent considerable effort on identifying meaningful and substantive mitigation measures to help reduce the perceived impacts from the project and improve its visually integration with the landscape. This included use of context appropriate fencing, “barn-like” enclosures for transformers and native landscaping. Ultimately the project reached a stipulated agreement with all parties to the proceeding and was granted a Certifiate of Public Good in July of 2011.
