Easthampton energy contract would bring solar to PD, City Hall

Daily Hampshire Gazette: Several energy changes may be coming to city infrastructure pending the approval of an energy service performance contract, which would increase solar energy usage and target air quality improvements in buildings.

At the moment, the city’s use of solar energy is “minimal,” said Mayor Nicole LaChapelle. If approved, the contract would increase the city’s use of solar energy, improve air quality in targeted buildings and bring revenue to the city, she said.

Over a 20-year period, LaChapelle anticipates that the city would save $2.4 million in deferred maintenance costs under the contract. If approved, the city could bond up to $6.4 million for the project.

The plan calls for additions such as solar panel canopies over the parking lot of the Police Department, and for solar panels on City Hall. Air quality “wasn’t a spending priority to address” initially, LaChapelle said, “but COVID-19 changed that.”