Richmond Area Business Association

The date for the installation of solar trackers at the Monitor Barns has been moved to early November. A 36 panel installation would require using a portion of conserved land. As such, the Vermont Land Trust, Richmond Land Trust, and the VYCC are working together to balance the legal requirements of the easement with what everyone agrees is the right thing to do - produce alternative energy to reduce our carbon footprint.

The Solar Orchard will produce 210,000 Kwh of energy annually, enough to fully power the VYCC's needs (50,000 kwh) and send a significant amount to local Richmond schools (160,000kwh). The project would provide energy for schools and VYCC at todays rates for the next five years at which point the VYCC would purchase the system. Electrical costs have risen an average of 5% a year over the past 25 years and thus this project will be an enormous economic boon locally.
The Orchard will be in the upper field between the two barns as one looks north from I-89. This is an exciting venture we hope to announce the final agreement in the very near future!

Please contact Thomas Hark, President, if you would like more information or a site tour. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it