Community Power in the News: Oct. 2025 – Jan. 2026
- Jan 7
- 2 min read
Powering Progress: New Milestones in Local Energy
Recent stories from across the state spotlight the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire’s momentum in expanding community solar, reducing energy costs, and building a more resilient energy future for Granite State communities. From launching the state’s largest solar project to local policy leadership and deepening community impact, CPCNH and its members continue to lead the way.
Recent News Highlights
📍Multiple Outlets | November 19–21, 2025
In a widely covered event, CPCNH and Encore Renewable Energy celebrated construction progress at the 4.99-megawatt Poverty Plains Solar Project in Warner—New Hampshire’s largest community solar array to date. The project will serve 11 CPCNH member communities (including Bristol, Dover, and Rye), offering long-term energy savings through Group Net Metering.
Held at the former gravel pit site now transformed into a clean energy hub, the event featured remarks from State Reps. Tony Caplan and Eileen Kelly, CPCNH Director of Projects & Programs Mark Bolinger, and Encore CEO Chad Farrell. The project is expected to generate nearly $5 million in community benefits, while also highlighting the potential of underutilized land for solar development.
Encore also presented a $20,000 donation to the Warner Beautification Committee as part of its Community Impact Program.
Highlighted Media Coverage:
CommunityPowerNH.gov (Dec 8)
Concord Monitor (Nov 19)
Concord Monitor Opinion | By Reps. Tony Caplan and Eileen Kelly (Dec 18)
North American Clean Energy (Nov 21)
Renewable Energy Magazine (Nov 21)
Solar Power World (Nov 20)
📍Seacoast Online | November 6, 2025
The Portsmouth Energy Advisory Committee (PEAC), the team behind the success of Portsmouth Community Power, is being proposed as a permanent city committee. The group has helped the city save over $2 million through community power and is now pursuing new initiatives, including a solar array on a former landfill and green energy for the wastewater plant. The committee’s continuity could strengthen long-term energy planning and innovation. Read More
📍Bristol Buzz Newsletter | November 21, 2025
In a reflective update, Bristol Energy Committee Chair Paul Bemis celebrates the town’s progress with CPCNH, including its enrollment in the Poverty Plains Solar Project. The piece outlines how CPCNH’s nonprofit model creates real local value, contrasting community power with the investor-owned utility model. Bemis highlights CPCNH’s role in helping Bristol return to a local, distributed energy model, enabling long-term control, cost savings, and resilience. Read More
📍InDepthNH | October 30, 2025 | By Donald M. Kreis
NH’s Consumer Advocate Donald Kreis outlines Eversource’s attempt to retroactively charge customers for a $4 million accounting error—blaming customer migration to CPCNH for the shortfall. CPCNH successfully challenged this claim in 2024, and Kreis defends the organization’s continued consumer-first focus. Read More
Stay Connected with CPCNH News
CPCNH is leading the way in local energy solutions, and our impact continues to grow. Stay informed about how community power is shaping New Hampshire’s energy future.
📍Visit our news page for more updates: communitypowernh.gov/news
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