BD unveils plan to use solar array

NORTH CANAAN — Becton-Dickinson is in the process of expanding its manufacturing facility, and is now proposing to build a major solar array to offset some power usage at the manufacturing plant.

Engineer Todd Parsons of Lenard Engineering said he planned to take the project to the Inland Wetlands Commission this month, and brought it to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) Jan. 12 to discuss procedure. It appears the project will not need any special approvals. 

The ground-mounted solar array will consist of about 7,000 panel modules on about 10 acres in the southern corner of the rear of the property off Route 7 South. It will require extensive clearing of trees there. That portion of the property is well set back from the main road, but abuts the Northwest Connecticut Rod & Gun Club.

“Town and state regulations have not kept up with emerging technology,” Parsons said, adding that there is nothing in the North Canaan regulations regarding solar voltaic systems.

P&Z Chairman Steve Allyn said the commission has approved similar projects before, considering them basically as a structure. As long as it meets requirements of a structure in a particular zone, it is in compliance and needs only site plan approval. 

As for wetlands, Parsons said the project footprint is just inside the 100-foot buffer for wetlands and not within the flood plain, for which a separate set of regulations applies. A general construction permit from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is needed.

No public hearing is anticipated.

Parsons said he did not know what percentage of the plant’s electrical use might be offset.

In 2013, P&Z took an extensive look at a 552-panel installation at Freund’s Farm in East Canaan. The array is close to Route 44 and supplies electricity to the milking parlor across the road. Since it complied with setbacks from the road and adjoining property, the project was issued a zoning permit.