Finished 2.25-megawatt project is projected to save the town $4 million in electricity costs over 25 years
DERRY, N.H. (Sept. 1, 2026) — The Town of Derry hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the energization of a 2.25-megawatt (MW) solar array built on the town’s closed and capped municipal landfill, completing a project that developer Encore Renewable Energy expects will save Derry taxpayers an estimated $4 million in electricity costs over the next 25 years.
Encore financed, designed, built and now operates the ground-mounted array on 10 acres of the reclaimed landfill, at no upfront cost to the town. The project sends 100% of the electricity it generates directly to the Town of Derry and is among the largest solar installations in New Hampshire, generating an amount of electricity roughly equal to the consumption of 500 average New Hampshire homes annually.
“Landfills like this one are often untapped resources in the clean energy transition,” said Chad Farrell, Founder and President of Encore Renewable Energy. “The reality is that landfills such as this one in Derry offer cleared, unshaded land that can’t be used for much else. This site checks every box: sufficient acreage, good sun exposure, and proximity to the electrical infrastructure needed to get that power where it’s needed.
“Rather than continuing to sit idle, this property will now be generating power for the local community, offering both cost savings and increased energy security for local Eversource NH ratepayers. This project shows what’s possible when a community looks at land it already owns in a new way.”
The project traces back to the Derry NetZero Task Force, an all-volunteer committee of engineers, business owners and town representatives that spent six years developing the plan, benchmarking energy use across 40 town and school buildings while building support for the required state legislative action. The Town of Derry selected Encore from a field of seven firms through a competitive bidding process in 2021.
“Under the leadership of Josh Bourdon, the Derry Town Council set forth an aggressive goal of being net zero by 2025 but with a caveat of saving money for the residents of Derry,” said Jeff Moulton, chair of the Derry NetZero Task Force. “I am pleased to have led a dedicated group of volunteers who were able to put together a design and project that will provide 100% of the town’s electricity needs for the next 25 years, while saving the town $5-10M over the life of the project.”
The town’s savings come from the gap between what it currently pays for electricity and what it now pays Encore for power from the array. Mike Fowler, Derry’s town administrator, put the numbers this way: “The town derives savings between the cost for Eversource’s electricity supply rate of 14.009 cents per kilowatt-hour and the purchase of Encore electricity at 6.5 cents.
“Year one savings are estimated to be $250,000 to $300,000, and although future Eversource rates are subject to change every six months, the town has a stable rate that should continue to beat the Eversource rate significantly. Conservatively, the project may avert over $4 million of higher electricity costs over the life of the project.”
Today’s ceremony included remarks from Farrell, Fowler, Moulton and Jack Webb, vice chair of the Derry Town Council. A representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen presented a proclamation marking the occasion.
“This project is proof of how our volunteers on the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and in particular the Net Zero Task force can have a lasting positive impact on those who live, work, and raise families in Derry,” remarked Derry Town Council Vice Chair, Jack Webb.
About Encore Renewable Energy
Encore Renewable Energy is delivering energy’s second act through community-scale solar and energy storage. Based in Burlington, Vermont, their team specializes in impact-driven renewable energy development and long-term asset ownership, reviving underutilized property such as brownfields and adding value with innovative dual-land use solutions. As a certified B Corporation and leader in socially responsible business, Encore is committed to revitalizing communities and creating a cleaner, brighter future for all. For more information, please visit encorerenewableenergy.com.
About the Town of Derry
Derry is New Hampshire’s fourth-largest community by population, located in Rockingham County in the state’s southeast corner. Settled in 1719 and established in 1827, Derry is governed by an elected seven-member Town Council. The Derry region has been home to Revolutionary War Maj. Gen. John Stark, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert Frost and Alan Shepard, the first American in space. For more information, visit derrynh.org.
Derry NH NetZero Task Force is an all-volunteer committee chartered to explore and achieve cost-effective solutions for reduced energy, water use and sustainable energy development on town-controlled property, municipal buildings and vehicles, schools and the community of Derry New Hampshire.
Learn more: https://www.derrynh.org/net-zero-task-force
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Net-Zero-Task-Force-307634480039104
The team at Encore Renewable Energy® is proud to be certified as a B Corp, joining over 3,500 other businesses worldwide who also share a commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.