The Zoning Board of Appeals on July 11 gave the go-ahead to a solar energy development that will result in an additional $50,000 per year of income to the Wareham Fire District.

The solar energy field will be located on a 4.13-acre parcel of land owned by the District, which is adjacent to Upper Boundary Road, and will be capable of producing 655 kilowatts of energy per year.

The facility will be developed by the privately-owned Renewable Development Energy Partners of Mashpee. The two-year-old company is currently completing a solar facility on the A.D. Makepeace property at Rosebrook in Wareham.

Michael Martin, the Wareham Water Department superintendent, said that the development would result in significant savings.

The District will save $35,000 dollars a year on its electric bill, said Martin. The District will also earn at least $15,000 a year by leasing the District-owned land to Renewable Energy.

That amounts to $50,000 per year. Because the contract with Renewable Energy is for 20 years, Martin explained. The total income earned and saved will be approximately $1 million.

"It's a significant benefit to the town," said Thoman Melehan, principal of Renewable Energy.

Wareham Fire District voters approved the development during their annual meeting in April of 2011, said Martin.

The field will contain 13 rows of ground-mounted solar energy panels enclosed by an eight-foot chain link fence, said Town Planner John Charbonneau.

The panels will face south towards woods which extend for about approximately a half-mile, said Melehan.

Renewable Energy will earn income from the sale of solar renewable energy credits, as well as from the sale of energy to the District, explained Melehan.

At the end of the 20-year lease, said Melehan, his company will either renew the contract with the District or be required to remove the solar panels.

Melehan said he hopes to build the facility by the end of 2012.