Empowering Communities Through Net Metering Credits
The energy generated by the Palmer Landfill Solar Project provides substantial net metering credits to the Town of Andover, located 90 miles northeast of Palmer. These credits are part of a long-term agreement with Syncarpha Capital, which will help Andover realize significant energy cost savings over the next 20 years. Meanwhile, the Town of Palmer benefits directly through lease payments and increased tax revenue, which bolster its operating budget and support local programs for residents.
Partnership and Collaboration for Renewable Success
Syncarpha Capital co-developed the project alongside REM and retains ownership and operational responsibility for the solar array. Borrego Solar played a pivotal role in designing, engineering, and constructing the system, and will continue to provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services. This project builds on the success of a prior collaboration between the three companies: a 6 MW solar farm at the former Palmer Metropolitan Airfield. Together, these initiatives underscore Palmer’s commitment to leveraging underutilized land for renewable energy development.
Economic and Environmental Leadership
“This project exemplifies the tangible economic and environmental advantages of solar energy,” said Cliff Chapman, managing partner at Syncarpha Capital. “We’re proud to work with Palmer and Andover on initiatives that create meaningful benefits for Massachusetts communities. Syncarpha remains dedicated to expanding solar energy adoption both within the Commonwealth and nationwide.”
By utilizing previously unusable land, the Palmer Landfill Solar Project aligns with Massachusetts’ Solar Renewable Energy Certificate II (SREC II) program, which incentivizes solar installations on brownfields and landfills. This initiative reflects Palmer’s proactive stance in fostering renewable energy projects within its boundaries.
Bob Knowles, partner at REM, highlighted the collaborative spirit that made this project possible. “Palmer and Andover’s forward-thinking approach exemplifies the success of public-private partnerships. The combined 11 MW of solar energy across the Airfield and Landfill projects demonstrates the impact of teamwork in generating long-term economic and environmental rewards for thousands of residents.”
Leading by Example as a Green Community
As a state-designated Green Community, Palmer has long prioritized energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction. From improving energy efficiency in municipal buildings to sourcing 100% renewable energy for town operations, the town is a leader in sustainability. The Palmer Landfill Solar Project further cements this legacy by transforming a former landfill into a renewable energy asset.
Looking Ahead
This project is part of Syncarpha Capital’s growing portfolio in Massachusetts, which includes eight solar installations across towns like Bolton, North Adams, and Freetown, collectively contributing over 60 MW of solar capacity in the state. By continuing to repurpose underutilized spaces for solar energy, Syncarpha and its partners are driving progress toward a greener future for Massachusetts and beyond.
