The Utilities Committee spent much of its May meeting discussing the future of solar energy in town, with particular attention on whether an upcoming roof replacement at Town Hall could create an opportunity for installing smaller scale solar panels. The conversation marked a shift from the committee’s earlier focus on identifying land for a large solar array, a process that has moved more slowly than anticipated.
The discussion also touched on the committee’s original purpose. When the Utilities Committee The idea of pairing the roof project with solar installation drew interest from committee members, who have long viewed solar as a way for the town to reduce energy costs and offset electricity usage. Some members, however, were surprised to learn that Town Hall’s roof had reached the point of needing replacement.was created several years ago, one of its long-term goals was to help the town move toward net-zero energy use by exploring renewable options, improving efficiency, and reducing reliance on traditional power sources. While progress has varied depending on available land, funding, and state regulations, members noted that rooftop solar remains one of the most practical steps the town can take toward that goal.
Director of Public Works James Danis explained that the Town Council and other officials have recently asked his department to evaluate individual buildings for potential solar use. “Separate from other issues, we have been asked to look at individual facilities to see how solar looks,” Danis said. “For example, there’s the SAU building getting ready to be built right behind Town Hall. I was also asked to look at the potential for solar for Town Hall overall; what it looks like, what the cost implication is, and what the long-term pay-back would be.”
Danis noted that the timing may be ideal, as Town Hall is already scheduled for a complete roof replacement. “In this case, we’re looking at doing a tandem entire roof replacement for the building,” he said. “According to the suppliers, the ideal time to put solar panels on a roof is when you’re doing a replacement with a stable, strong roof to put it on. That’s something I’m looking at, whether it’s attractive and will pay off in the long term.”
“Are you suggesting that this roof is due to be replaced?” asked Alternate Ray Breslin. “How old is it? We need to know that.” Danis did not have the roof’s age available but confirmed that it is on the replacement schedule.
The discussion broadened to include other potential solar locations, including parking lots at town owned buildings. Breslin noted that smaller steps could still produce meaningful savings. “Sometimes you’ve got to take small steps that will cost a lot less,” he said. “There was discussion about putting solar over the extended parking lot. I think we’ve discussed it with the school too.”
Other committee members confirmed that informal conversations about parking lot solar have taken place with both town and school officials, though no formal proposals have been developed. Most officials remain focused on either large-scale solar or rooftop installations, depending on what becomes feasible first.
Alternate Mike Speltz suggested reaching out to Comcast, which operates a private parking lot solar array in Manchester, to gather more information about design, cost, and long-term performance. Committee members agreed that learning from existing installations could help shape future decisions.
The conversation eventually turned to the broader energy landscape. Committee member Paul Ramsey highlighted the growing strain on electrical grids nationwide, particularly due to the rapid expansion of data centers. “One data center in New York can use as much electricity as all of New Hampshire and Vermont combined in a year,” Ramsey said. He added that lawmakers are considering changes that would prevent data centers from passing their energy costs onto other customers. “That idea has been gaining traction and is now being factored into the whole AI capitalization schemes.”
Rising electricity costs have been a persistent concern across Southern New Hampshire, and committee members agreed that exploring solar; whether rooftop, parking lot, or large-scale; remains an important part of the town’s long-term planning and its original net-zero aspirations.
The next meeting of the Utilities Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, at 7 p.m. in the Moose Hill Council Chambers.