The Wareham Fire District Water Department is looking to lease district-owned land for the construction of a six-acre solar facility adjacent to Charge Pond Road. The endeavor could bring in an estimated $35,000 in revenue and savings annually, according to Water Department Superintendent Michael Martin.

“This is a strictly a financial endeavor to bring in additional sources of revenue for the district,” Martin explained. “We are always looking to bring in revenue.”

Outside of labor costs, energy is the department’s greatest expense. Martin said the district has been looking into the feasibility of using alternative energy for years in an effort to save money.

In order to obtain federal grant money and tax credits, the project cannot be operated by the district, Martin said. Therefore, a private firm will be charged with designing, obtaining proper permitting, financing, constructing, owning, operating, and maintaining the system.

The project will generate revenue because the district will lease its land to the developer and receive a portion of the tax credits the developer receives, Martin said.

Of the several alternative energy options available, Martin said solar power made the most sense for the district. In addition to being more reliable than other forms of alternative energy, Martin called the panels a “passive system,” in that they are stationary, create no noise, and stand only a few feet high.

“Solar power is the best choice," Martin said. "It doesn’t have opposition like the wind farm proposal. ... It has a lot going for it. There are so many positives for this type of use.”

One of those positives is that the project will help prevent increases in water rates because it will offset other district expenses, Martin said.

The panels are proposed to sit on six acres of a 35-acre parcel owned by the district. The remaining 29 acres of land will be used for two additional solar energy facilities in the future, Martin said.

The district will begin accepting proposals for the project next week, Martin said. The Board of Water Commissioners has the final say on which developer is chosen. The developer will also need to have its proposal reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals and meet state environmental standards.

“It’s not a slam dunk. [The proposal] needs to be tailored to meet the necessary requirements,” Martin said.

Once approved, Martin said the construction will be relatively quick. He said he hopes to see the facility operational by October.