The Kingston Planning Board heard plans for a solar array planned for Anderson Avenue.
Borrego Solar is proposing a 2.4 megawatt DC project on a cranberry bog that is set to be decommissioned. The discussion on Monday focused on potential glare impacts to Route 3.
Dean Smith, an Engineer for Borrego, says a study was conducted into glare and sound from the site by the Barrett Energy Resources Group. The bog is visible from Route 3, but Smith says only a small area of the array field would have the potential for glare during sunrise and sunset.
“The differences in the elevation and the elevation along the highway,” said Smith. “There’s very low concern for there even to be visibility of glare, much less anything that would be considered a problem that would create an after-image.”
He says any glare would be broken up by existing trees in the area.
Planning Board Chair Tom Bouchard wanted to see a peer review conducted into the study.
“The fact that the property lines are so close where you have vegetation that’s helping now, but no guarantee it’s going to stay there,” said Bouchard. “You can’t add to it because you don’t have the space, and you have Route 3 that close. I think it’s a reasonable request seeing that Route 3 is right there.”
The board voted unanimously to approve a motion for a peer review. The next hearing was set for January 11.
