Tilton School Could Be Next to Receive Solar Panels

Haverhill Purchasing Agent and Energy Manager Orlando Pacheco.

Tilton School could be the next candidate for a large solar energy project if Haverhill School Committee members come to terms on such projects.

Haverhill Purchasing Agent and Energy Manager Orlando Pacheco cited the Mount Washington school as an example of a large roof where the city could place solar panels next. His comments came as city councilors Tuesday night approved a power purchase agreement involving solar panels on the roof of Haverhill Police Station, 40 Bailey Boulevard.

“Really, the only building I think we have left with potential is probably the Tilton School. We finished a review of that. It looks like we can get about a similar-sized system on that roof,” Pacheco said.

The agreement for a 59 kilowatt system on the police station involves MassAmerican Energy, the same company proposing a 2.2 megawatt solar project at Haverhill High School. That project was recently blocked by three members of the Haverhill School Committee.

Both Pacheco and city councilors used the police station project to indirectly comment on concerns raised by School Committee President Maura L. Ryan-Ciardiello and members Scott Wood and Shaun P. Toohey.

Council Vice President Melinda E. Barrett, for example, asked whether the police station roof can handle the weight of both the solar panels and seasonal snow—an argument raised against the high school project. Pacheco responded his office conducts thorough research and reviews engineering reports to factor in snow loads. The purchasing agent then went on to explain the age of a solar company—another concern raised by school committee members—is not as important as the resumes of individual developers.

“When a company starts a project, finishes a project, and it becomes operational without issue—that, to us, is a symbol of whether a company is worthy,” Pacheco said.

Haverhill City Councilor Michael S. McGonagle.

Councilor Michael S. McGonagle asked about placing solar panels on the city-operating Veterans Memorial Skating Rink, but learned the city doesn’t own the building. Pacheco said such a project might be possible with the help from the state, from whom the city rents the property.

Council President John A. Michitson complimented Pacheco—not just for the police station solar project, but all of the energy projects he has undertaken.

“You have really showed a lot of integrity on all these projects and I very much appreciate that,” Michitson said.

Councilors approved the police station energy contract 8 to 0. Councilor Joseph J. Bevilacqua was to have participated by telephone, but officials were unable to hear his voice.

In a related matter, members heard from Tom K. Wu, chief executive officer of Invaleon Technologies Corp. of Ward Hill.

In a related matter, members heard from Tom K. Wu, chief executive officer of Invaleon Technologies Corp. Wu reiterated his call for an apology from the city, school committee or Toohey for remarks made about his company during a recent school committee meeting. He said remarks about his employee are false since the person in question neither pleaded guilty nor was convicted of any crime. He asked that officials have “accountability and fact check statements they make.” In any event, he added, his company is not involved in the high school project.

Michitson told his colleagues they would not be permitted to respond to Wu because of possible future litigation.