19-02-2025
Tunbridge town offices are going solar in 2025
TUNBRIDGE, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Tunbridge is turning to solar power to run its town hall and offices. Town leaders say the grant funded project will triple the town's current solar output and will come at no cost to locals.
'Saving money is always a good thing and particularly if it's helping the environment,' said the town's volunteer energy coordinator, Todd Tyson.
Nearly a decade ago, Tyson says, Tunbridge leaders had attempted to raise nearly $50,000 for a similar project. However, after some locals voiced concerns over the cost, it wasn't able to pass by town vote.
But with the help of VLGS Energy Clinic Professor Kirt Mayland and his students, the 2025 project is receiving over $255,000 through the state's Municipal Energy Resilience Program.
'It's completely state funded, it's not going to impact them besides, hopefully, having a positive impact. Because those two buildings will no longer have electric bills,' he said.
Mayland says of those total funds, roughly $43,000 will go towards adding new panels, while the rest will support weatherization and other energy efficiency projects in the town buildings. The 10.7-kilowatt solar array itself, he says, will work by sending energy to Green Mountain Power who will direct it to the Tunbridge offices.
'We love working on arrays like this that are community owned, so the community itself gets 100% of the financial benefits. That in particular is very satisfying,' said the professor.
Mayland says the project will go out to bid with local contractors this summer. He predicts the project will be up and running by the end of July.
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