Warren’s biggest solar farm might also be the Town’s most massive development that you never actually see.

Last Thursday, officials from Nexamp and TurningPoint Energy, along with Town Manager Brian Sullivan, representatives from Rhode Island’s Office of Energy Resources and the Warren Town Council gathered at the newly activated solar farm located at 35 Schoolhouse Rd. to commemorate the beginning of a solar project six years in the making.

“As we stand here today surrounded by the solar panels that will harness the sun’s energy, let us celebrate this achievement and reaffirm our commitment to a cleaner, greener future,” said Jenn Delaney, Vice President of Channel Development for Nexamp, the solar company that built, owns and operates the site. “Together we are making a significant impact.”

And while there is no denying the immensity of the project – which incorporates over 17,000 solar modules sprawling over a large swath of land that was formerly home to the Windmill Hill Golf Course – those on scene were unanimous in their belief that this particular project was about as good as it gets when it comes to installing an array of solar panels without disrupting the surrounding area or wreaking ecological havoc to pave the way for the array.

“As many of you are aware, planned use energy development and forest preservation are frequently the topic of conversation and can often be at odds,” said Michelle Carpenter, Vice President of Development for TurningPoint Energy, who handled the acquisition and pre-development of the land in a collaborative effort with Nexamp. “This project was quite unique in that it didn’t require any significant tree clearing. In addition, it’s located in a residential area, despite which it was incredibly well-received by the Town Council, who actually amended their solar ordinance to allow this project to happen.”

In addition to being tucked away in a rural area off Schoolhouse Road, Carpenter said the project team decided to bury utility connections required for the array underground rather than run them above ground, which would have required cutting down trees. They also installed an earthen berm at the entrance of the array so that drivers passing by on Schoolhouse Road can’t see the array from street level.

“We’re keenly focused on developing solar that is in partnership with the local community, and projects that are purposefully designed to blend in with the community. This project, with its location at a former golf course, robust existing screening that you can see looking around, as well as support from the town and neighbors epitomizes this business philosophy,” Carpenter said. “Project neighbors were incredibly welcoming and supportive every time we engaged them about this project; it was very refreshing.”

Carpenter added that the project will also restore nearby wetlands to a healthier status than before the golf course went in.

“There were 327 wetland plantings proposed in areas that are currently wetland buffer,” she said. “When it was developed as a golf course 20-plus years ago, regulations were very different. As part of our development, those areas will actually be restored to wetlands buffer and were re-planted with wetlands species.”

Both Nexamp and TurningPoint officials thanked the Town of Warren for their collaboration throughout the permitting, design, and approval process.

“Warren is a very business friendly community,” said Town Council Vice President, Steve Calenda, prior to the ribbon cutting. “We not only encourage new businesses to come, collectively – I can speak for the entire Council – we do everything we can to ensure that their transition is smooth and it’s a profitable transition. Because everybody benefits when business comes into a community.”

The 9.4 megawatt solar farm will generate approximately 11.5 million kilowatt hours annually, which Delaney said would be enough to offset the emissions from 9 million driven miles over its lifetime. The project will generate $34,650 in annual tax revenue for the Town of Warren.

Located in the Rhode Island Energy service territory, the array is part of Rhode Island’s Virtual Net Metering program, exclusively serving schools, non-profits, and municipalities. The array, specifically, will provide energy savings to 15 nonprofit organizations, including Hope & Main in Warren, through an energy sales agreement with Nexamp and Rhode Island Energy.