Bullard Solar Plant: Your Questions Answered

A proposed solar array on Bullard Street in Holliston in recent weeks. While area homeowners are worried about the impact a photovoltaic power plant will have on their community, the non-profit leasing the land to solar developers says the additional income will help keep their charity afloat. 

There are plenty of questions about the facility raised by both side of the argument. Here are some answers:

Why is putting a solar plant on Bullard Street such a problem for the area's residents?

Bullard Street is a scenic and historic part of Holliston. Some residents moved there specifically for the old-world feel and the distinctive tree canopy over the road. Area residents believe all of this could change with the installation of a solar plant. 

Why would the impact on the area be so large?

The removal of seven large, century-old trees is necessary for the plant's construction, eliminating as much as 20% of the street's tree canopy. Further, residents are concerned about noise, glare, toxic chemicals and electromagnetic output that could come from the facility. 

Does Holliston need this?

The Bullard Memorial Farm Association is hoping to lease 7 acres of former farmland on Bullard Street to Renewable Energy Massachusetts. In a recent email, Chip Thurlow, President of the BMFA, said:

"The funds generated by the solar project will allow us to improve our expensive maintenance program, undertake new preservation and restoration projects and develop new educational programming. All of these goals are in keeping with our mission. The project, if approved, will generate between $20,000 and $30,000 annually for 25-30 years, which is the term of the lease agreement."

But the BMFA has over $2.5 million in the bank. Why don't they just use that?

Thurlow also responded to this question via email. 

"The way we are organized, we are prohibited from drawing more than 3% of the interest generated from that portfolio on an annual basis. Those funds we do draw, we already use for our annual budget. Thus, we are severely limited in our ability to access funds in the investment portfolio. On paper it appears that we are 'well off', but our ability to fund our expenses is a continual challenge," Thurlow wrote.

What direct energy benefits would the plant have on Holliston?

In short, it won't have any. The plant will provide two megawatts of solar energy directly to the energy grid, the facility's planners said. 

This area is zoned as residential. How is it even possible to put a solar plant here? 

Karen Sherman, Holliston's town planner, said a state law allows solar panels to be built on residential property. The town's building inspector will make the decision on how the law is interpreted for this case. 

Chapter 184: Section 23C of Massachusetts state law says:

"Any provision in an instrument relative to the ownership or use of real property which purports to forbid or unreasonably restrict the installation or use of a solar energy system as defined in section one A of chapter forty A or the building of structures that facilitate the collection of solar energy shall be void."

If you have other questions about the Bullard Farm solar plant, let us know in the comments. We will try to find you the answer.