Royalston Solar Landfill RFP

The Town of Royalston, Massachusetts is soliciting proposals from qualified renewable energy developers to develop Solar Generating Facilities at the Royalston Landfill under M.G.L c. 30B S.16, with proposals due October 8, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST and a mandatory pre-proposal site visit on or before September 24, 2026.

The Town seeks either a site lease or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to generate financial benefits, and proposers may propose alternative financial structures or leasing arrangements. The project site comprises 78 acres of Town-owned property at 6 Town Dump Road, Royalston, MA 01368 (Map 11, Parcel 39). The scope calls for 1–6 MW AC solar facility design, financing, construction, operation, and decommissioning over a lease period not to exceed 30 years. Proposers must submit conceptual site plans depicting SGF layout, interconnection routes, wetlands and buffer zones, forested areas proposed for clearing, and Battery Energy Storage Facilities if applicable. The developer assumes sole responsibility for permitting, interconnection, utility feasibility and system impact studies, and any required distribution, transmission, or substation upgrades. The Town retains ownership of all merchantable timber and receives 100% of net stumpage value.

Minimum qualifications require a current Massachusetts Professional Engineer (Civil) registration for at least ten years among primary staff, seven years of directly related experience for key personnel, and completion of at least three similar projects. Proposers must document company history and ownership structure, demonstrate at least three utility-scale solar projects currently operating in New England, completion of at least one solar project on a landfill or brownfield site, and evidence of financial capacity. Commercial General Liability insurance must be at least $5 million per occurrence; Automobile Liability at least $1 million; and Workers Compensation coverage is required, with the Town named as additional insured. Prior to construction, developers must provide irrevocable decommissioning financial security (letter of credit, surety bond, or equivalent) sufficient for complete removal and site restoration, reviewed and updated every five years.

Evaluation criteria include relevant experience, number of similar projects, plan clarity, comprehensive RFP response, financial benefits to the Town (annual lease payments, escalation rates, revenue-sharing, tax payments), forest and timber protection strategies, landfill protection experience, interconnection feasibility, and developer capacity. The Town reserves the right to reject proposals, waive minor discrepancies, conduct interviews with up to three finalists, and negotiate amendments for additional services. Anticipated award date is December 17, 2026, with work commencing in Spring 2027. Proposals must be submitted in sealed envelopes with pricing and non-pricing information separated—one original and five copies, plus a PDF on USB flash drive—to the Royalston Town Barn Office, 19 Winchendon Road. Questions must be submitted in writing to bos@royalston-ma.gov.