The Vineyard Sustainable Energy Committee has reported 1,127 solar arrays currently installed on-Island, up 18 per cent from the beginning of 2020, but expensive grid upgrades stand to cast a shadow over the industry’s progress.
Edgartown selectmen have come to an agreement with a regional energy collective after an earlier impasse about how the town would contribute to the organization.
Following heated discussion, Edgartown selectmen sent the Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative back to the drawing board over a $100,000 budget shortfall.
At a turbulent public hearing before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission last week, a plan by the Oak Bluffs water district to clear forest for the town’s first municipal solar array came under fire.
A plan by the Oak Bluffs water district to build a solar array off Barnes Road has been downsized, but continues to draw heat from ecologists who oppose removing a large swath of old-growth forest.
In a step toward energy independence and following the success of solar panels at their Vineyard Haven location, Cronig’s Market is planning to install a nearly $2 million solar canopy at its up-Island location.