Solar for the Fire Station Roof!

Dear Members of the Bedford Select Board:

This petition is submitted on behalf of the undersigned, members and allies of Bedford Mothers Out Front. Mothers Out Front is an organization of mothers and others driven by our obligation to ensure a livable climate for all children.

We ask that the Select Board create a plan and sponsor a warrant article to obtain a solar energy system for the new fire station at time of construction either through direct purchase or through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

There are many compelling reasons why Bedford should install rooftop solar panels on the new fire station at the time of construction – and whenever a new roof is installed in the future:

Cost Effective: Installing solar panels on new roofs maximize use of the 25+ year lifespan.
Roof Warranty: Installation at the time of construction ensures that the roof warranty is preserved.
Offset Electricity Cost: Rooftop solar will help offset the operating cost of this decarbonized building.
Reduce Peak Demand Charge: Solar panels and batteries can significantly reduce the monthly demand charge in the building's electricity bill.
Net Zero Plan: On-site electricity generation is necessary to reach our energy and carbon net zero goals. Only renewable electricity generated on-site can offset emissions in our carbon accounting to the state.

The new fire station is designed to be “solar ready”. We understand that the Fire Station Building Committee decided not to include rooftop solar panels due to budgetary concerns. We were pleased to learn that the bids for construction of the fire station came in nearly $3 million under budget. Outright purchase of solar panels has an excellent return on investment. Our membership would support a warrant article for outright purchase of a solar energy system should the Board decide to pursue this option.

By an overwhelming voice vote, 2019 Special Town Meeting voters gave the Town Manager and Facilities Director the authority to negotiate Power Purchase Agreements to obtain solar energy systems (solar panels and battery storage) for seven buildings. Our membership would support a warrant article to obtain a PPA for a solar energy system for the new fire station if that is the chosen path forward.

Solar panels save taxpayer money and protect our children's future climate.

On behalf of the signers below, we thank you for your careful consideration of our request.

Respectfully,

Bedford Mothers Out Front