The Metzger Engineering Dunkirk Solar One and Solar Two project is a community solar project in which agricultural land of approximately 20.56 acres for Solar One and 21.4 acres for Solar Two will transform into 5-megawatt solar energy systems to connect to power lines through National Grid.

Homeowners and business owners can subscribe to the community solar program through National Grid, which would provide approximately 10-15% savings per electric bill.

Dan Leary, a Dunkirk Solar representative, spoke at a recent Town Board meeting about the project.

“The solar project will interconnect directly with the distribution lines National Grid has running up and down East Lake Shore Drive. The electrons go directly into the grid, but with the concept of community solar, the financial value of all that solar can go to any home or small business in the town or the surrounding region that would otherwise not be able to or want to put solar on their own home or business,” said Leary. “It’s a great way for them to participate in immediate savings without having to pull any capital out of their pocket.”

OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Dan Leary of Dunkirk Solar One and Solar Two displays the area of the proposed solar energy system in the Town of Dunkirk.

A project of the size of the one proposed would typically service between 1,500-2,000 customers.

“It can easily go to the residents of the town, and then some beyond,” Leary said. “There’s no contract terms, there’s no subscription fees, it’s a pay-as-you-go, almost like Netflix. You’re paying for electricity from National Grid now, here you’ll get a solar credit that’s put onto your bill by National Grid, and it will come at a 10% discount.”

A landowner of the properties involved with the project is Noel Dill, of the Lakeside Park mobile home community in Dunkirk. Dill said of the project, “It’s a tremendous benefit for our residents. … We just want you to know, for our people, it really matters. That 10% is more than one free month of electric a year. … Anybody in the town of Dunkirk can take advantage of this. We’re going to work with our residents to make sure everybody is signed up and enrolled in this.”

If approved, the town would enter into a host community agreement with the projects. The duration is typically between 15 to 30 years. A decommissioning plan for the project is included with the proposal, and the bond will be continually reviewed every five years.

“The projects will be paying a financial benefit to the town through that agreement, in addition to the taxes the project will pay from a property standpoint,” Leary said.

Representatives associated with the project are likely to attend the public hearing on May 23 to address any questions or comments from the public.