Celebrating Progress at Poverty Plains: New Hampshire’s Largest Solar Array Takes Shape

Scenes from the field as CPCNH members, Encore, and local leaders mark a milestone at New Hampshire’s largest solar site.

Under clear skies in Warner, nearly 60 people gathered on the morning of November 19 to mark a powerful milestone for clean energy in New Hampshire: construction progress on the 4.99-megawatt Poverty Plains Solar Project, which will become the state’s largest community solar array when it comes online in 2026. The project will generate long-term energy savings for eleven participating CPCNH Member Communities—Barrington, Bradford, Bristol, Dover, Durham, Grantham, Hopkinton, New London, Northumberland, Pembroke and Rye—through New Hampshire’s Group Net Metering program.

Representatives from CPCNH, Encore, state government, and local communities gather for a group photo

Landscape view of the Poverty Plains solar site, captured by Norwich Solar.

A solar installer from Norwich Solar checks racking at New Hampshire’s largest solar project.

Chad Farrell, Founder and President of Encore Renewable Energy, delivers opening remarks.

Mark Bolinger, CPCNH Director of Projects and Program, shares some of the project’s many benefits.

Lisa Sweet, CPCNH Board Director, emphasizes the community-level value of clean energy.

State Representative Tony Caplan highlights Warner’s role in advancing regional clean energy goals.

State Representative Eileen Kelly speaks about the economic and environmental impact of the project.

Eversource rep. Ian Murply discusses how local solar supports grid upgrades and affordability.

Site view looking north across the racking, courtesy of Norwich Solar.

Brooks Solar, an Encore project, uses sheep grazing for vegetation—also planned at Poverty Plains.

Co-hosted by project developer Encore Renewable Energy and the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH), the customer for the power being produced, the event took place at the site of a former gravel pit, now being transformed with installed solar racking and modules. The project will also incorporate environmentally friendly land management through sheep grazing.

Warner Beautification Group members Sara McNeil, Kathy Carson, and Faith Minton join Encore’s Lauren Glickman and Chad Farrell during a $20,000 check presentation. Warner Select Board Chair Harry Seidel delivers remarks.

“New Hampshire has a great deal of potential when it comes to capitalizing on new energy generation solutions, and the Poverty Plains solar project is proof of what is possible,” said Chad Farrell, Founder and President of Encore Renewable Energy.

Farrell added: “From lowering electricity rates to revitalizing a previously developed gravel pit, this project is contributing to a more resilient and affordable energy future for the Granite State.”

Mark Bolinger, Director of Projects and Programs at CPCNH, commented on the benefits that subscribing CPCNH member communities would receive.

“Because all of the subscribing Group Members are municipal accounts, this $1.5 million dollar cash influx from Group Net Metering effectively means lower property taxes for ALL residents of these eleven subscribing communities,” he said, adding that “the projected REC price savings will benefit all CPCNH members, whether or not they are residents of these eleven communities.”

“What makes this project so nice is that it checks both of the boxes that our members care about: we are collectively doing something that is both good for the planet and that will help us to offer lower, more stable rates going forward,” Bolinger noted.

Lisa Sweet, a CPCNH Board Director and member of the Rye Energy Committee, spoke about the direct benefits the project will bring to her town and others like it.

“I feel so proud that CPCNH is using its platform to bring clean energy to New Hampshire,” said Sweet. “This project is the beginning of much more to come — and that’s worth celebrating.”

Rye, one of the eleven CPCNH communities subscribing to the project, expects to receive thousands of dollars annually through Group Net Metering once the site is operational. Sweet noted that the town will use those proceeds to help launch an Energy Reserve Fund, a tool to reinvest in future energy projects like resilience upgrades, energy storage, and more.

Sweet emphasized the importance of public visibility, too: “We’ll be sure to let Rye residents know exactly where this array is, so when they drive past on Interstate 89, they’ll know they helped support its development and that the Poverty Plains project is helping support energy-related projects in Rye.”

State Representatives Tony Caplan and Eileen Kelly, representing Merrimack County District 8, both addressed the crowd, highlighting Warner’s role in regional climate leadership.

Caplan, who also serves on the House Committee on Science, Technology and Energy, emphasized the importance of increasing New Hampshire’s solar energy output:

“We really need to make a big step forward, and this is one of those,” Caplan said.

Kelly added, “This solar project in Warner is a shining example of how we can create local economic benefit while advancing our clean energy goals.”

"Projects like these can decrease statewide costs, reduce grid congestion, and provide customers with the meaningful choices they want. Poverty Plains embodies the future we should strive for: community-led, cost-conscious, eco-friendly and collaborative," added Kelly.

Representing Eversource, Ian Murphy reflected on how projects like Poverty Plains demonstrate the real-world value of solar for both local communities and the broader grid. Murphy emphasized that the project helps “bring affordable power to the state,” supports job creation, and contributes to “upgrades to the grid.”

The event also celebrated a $20,000 community donation from Encore to the Warner Beautification Group. The funds will support safety-focused lighting improvements at Warner’s Town Hall, addressing visibility concerns for civic events like elections and town meetings. The donation is part of Encore’s newly established Community Impact Program, which supports local initiatives with each project the company develops and delivers.

“We are honored to be chosen by Warner’s Select Board to research and implement the best use of the Encore gift for our community,” said Kathy Carson of the Beautification Group. “This lighting project will be a practical and lasting testament to Encore’s commitment to Warner.”

Speaking at the check presentation, Warner Select Board Chair Harry Seidel added, “This is a great example of what can happen when people work together. What a fantastic day.”

Throughout the morning, guests enjoyed cider, donuts, discussions about the potential for additional clean energy resources in New Hampshire and sunny views of the solar installation underway. Representatives from several of CPCNH’s participating member communities were in attendance, underscoring the collaborative spirit behind the project.

Dig Deeper:

To learn more about how Group Net Metering works—and how CPCNH members benefit—watch this explainer from earlier this year: Group Net Metering Presentation by Mark Bolinger

In the News:

The Poverty Plains event garnered coverage across New Hampshire and beyond. Read more below:

• Concord Monitor: ‘Need to make a big step forward’: Largest state solar array project underway in Warner

• Solar Power World: 5-MW solar project coming to former gravel pit in New Hampshire

• North American Clean Energy: New Hampshire’s Largest Community Solar Project Under Construction at Former Gravel Pit

• Construction Owners News: 5-MW Solar Project to Transform Former Gravel Pit