Planning Board approves 700-kilowatt landfill solar after decade-long effort

LINCOLN — July 23, 2024 — Lincoln Planning Board unanimously approves 700-kilowatt landfill solar array after decade of planning. The 5-0 vote cleared a site plan from co-applicants the Town of Lincoln and Lincoln Solar One LLC, a subsidiary of HESP Solar, for roughly 2,400 panels across seven acres of the capped landfill at 161 North Great Road. Town Administrator Tim Higgins said the project will deliver approximately $160,000 a year to the town through lease, PILOT, and net-metering credits and generate more than 1.4 million kilowatt-hours in year one. HESP Chief Operating Officer Susan Brody and Geosyntec project director David Bonnet described ballast-block mounting to protect the 1985 cap. Co-Chair Gary Taylor conditioned approval on a cedar — not PVC — perimeter fence at the Mill Street equipment pad and on no tree removal. Separately, the board tabled a 58 Weston Road minor-change request after finding unpermitted curbing and pavement work inside the minor street right-of-way.