Exeter's Newest Solar Array Generates Nearly 20 Megawatts

Exeter's newest solar array has generating enough energy to power about four average-size homes over the course of a year.

The array recently went up on Newfields Road. It's providing a small amount of the power used at the Public Works Department.

So far it has generated about 19.63 megawatt hours of energy since it went online in June. That's the equivalent of powering about four average-size homes over the course of a year.

Town officials set up this online tracking tool here that measures how much energy the arrary has generated.

Town officials used a $100,000 state grant to pay for the array, which was built by Dover-based Revolution Energy. It's expected to generate about 5 percent of the Public Works Department's energy – resulting in a savings of about $31,000 over the next 10 years.

The array is one of several alternative energy installations in town. There's a solar array that helps power Exeter High School, and there's another one that powers the Russman Law office downtown. Phillips Exeter Academy is also building a geothermal system.

“We want to show that we, as a municipality, can move toward sustainable energy solutions and look forward to more projects in the future,” Selectwoman Julie Gilman previously said.