Rumors of a proposed solar farm in Holden have prompted questions from residents in recent weeks, including the appearance of an individual holding a sign reading “Stop the Solar Farm” along Shrewsbury Street. While the display reflected concerns that a large-scale solar project may be imminent, town officials and public records indicate that no solar farm has been approved, and no active town project currently exists.

The concerns stem from a proposal that has resurfaced over several years involving land near the WTAG radio towers on Shrewsbury Street.

According to a Holden Municipal Light Department (HMLD) notice distributed in the fall of 2017, the utility had been approached by a company interested in constructing a large solar energy project on the Shrewsbury Street property where the WTAG radio towers are located. Under the proposal, the privately developed facility would generate electricity that would be sold directly to HMLD.

At the time, HMLD emphasized that it was giving the proposal “serious review” and stated that, if an agreement proved satisfactory, the project could provide Holden ratepayers with “reasonably priced renewable energy for an extended period of time.”

The notice also said the project would support HMLD’s goal of maintaining stable electric rates while increasing the amount of carbon-free electricity supplied to customers. Before any project could continue, however, it would require reviews and approvals from multiple local boards, including the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission, in addition to complying with Holden’s Solar Bylaw.

Nearly eight years later, discussion of a solar project surfaced again in the Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board’s February 27, 2025, meeting.

According to those minutes, HMLD General Manager Barry Tupper informed the advisory board that he had signed a Letter of Intent with Green Tower, LLC. The purpose of the agreement was to allow both parties to negotiate a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a proposed 6-megawatt solar project at 412 Shrewsbury Street.

The minutes state that all electricity generated by the proposed facility would be sold to HMLD. They also make clear that “neither party is obligated to finalize the PPA,” meaning no binding agreement has been reached and the project is still in the discussion stage.

At the September 4, 2025 HMLD advisory board meeting, Tupper noted under his updates “Green Tower Solar (WTAG) – We are close to having an executed PPA.”

The proposed solar facility was one of several energy-related topics discussed during the February meeting. Board members also received updates on HMLD’s battery energy storage system, which generated approximately $38,573 in savings during January through reduced peak electrical demand. Additional updates included the utility’s interest in hydroelectric projects in New Hampshire as part of its broader renewable energy strategy.

Despite those discussions, town officials say there is no approved solar project before the Town of Holden.

Holden Select Board Vice Chair Linda Long-Bellil said, “There is no solar project in existence at this time. The town has been approached by an interested party that wants to discuss the possibility of a solar project.”

Long-Bellil explained that Article 27 authorized the town manager to enter into discussions with the interested party but did not approve construction of a solar facility.

“If a concrete solar project proposal were to emerge from those negotiations, then it would need approval from the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board, the Conservation Commission, and other relevant boards and committees and public input would be sought during those processes,” she wrote.

Taken together, the available public records show that Holden has explored the possibility of hosting a solar facility for several years. The proposal discussed in 2017 and the Letter of Intent referenced in the 2025 HMLD advisory board minutes show that conversations have continued over time. However, based on statements from town officials and the public documents reviewed, no solar farm has been authorized for construction.

Should a formal proposal move forward, it will be subject to multiple levels of municipal review, public hearings and regulatory approvals before any work can begin. WFP will continue to monitor this subject.