Powering a Stronger Falmouth
Cape Cod Solar Projects
Falmouth has the opportunity to lead Cape Cod into a cleaner energy future. Three proposed solar farms—located on the site of the current Cape Cod Country Club golf course—will provide locally generated renewable energy, reduce nitrogen pollution, and deliver direct benefits to the community.
Together, these projects will produce between 3.5 MW and 5 MW each, totaling up to 13.5 MWAC of clean power, enough to serve thousands of homes and businesses.
#FromGreensToGreenEnergy
-
PureSky’s Falmouth Solar Projects Receive Broad Support at Town Meeting
Falmouth, MA — November 17, 2025 — PureSky Energy is proud to announce that its three new solar projects on the site of the Cape Cod Country Club have passed another significant milestone at the Falmouth Representative Town Meeting. More than two-thirds of Falmouth town meeting members voted to authorize the Town to accept the
-
Cape Cod Commission Approves PureSky’s Plans for Three Solar Projects in Falmouth
PureSky is happy to announce that the Cape Cod Commission has officially approved plans for three new solar projects on the site of the former Cape Cod Country Club in Falmouth.
The Three Projects at a Glance
- Location: Falmouth, MA – on the existing golf course site
- Size: 3.5 MW to 5 MW each
- Status: Under review by the Cape Cod Commission (Development of Regional Impact) and the Town of Falmouth Planning Board
- Community Benefit: Subscribers to the solar projects will receive a discount on their electricity, with substantially larger savings available for income eligible households.
- Land Donation: Approximately 137 acres donated to the Town of Falmouth for future public benefit, approximately 60 of which will house the solar array.
Compare the Current Golf Course to the Solar Farm
Using the sliders below see the difference between the golf course in winter as compared to renderings of what the plantings will look like in winter.
East Array
West Array
South Array
Supporting a Thriving Environmental
Native Pollinators and Revegetation
Covering just under 60 acres, the solar array will transition manicured lawns to pollinator meadows. An additional 16 acres will be planted with trees and other native plants.
Maximize Use of Preexisting Developed Areas
Hosting the solar array on developed areas minimizes the impact on existing wildlife populations and habitat, and maintains vital wildlife migratory corridors between significant ecological areas.
Ecological Stormwater Management
Using natural features such as vegetated dry basins and reverting areas to natural vegetation will fortify the wetlands buffers, reduce runoff impacts, and create more cohesive ecological corridors between the pond and adjacent bodies of water.
Investment in Water Quality Study
PureSky is committing up to $414,000 over 10 years to the study of water quality, serving as a direct economic contribution to the local community, ensuring long-term monitoring, and preservation of water quality.
A Collaboration with Coonamessett Pond Association
Instead of fertilized fairways and costly irrigation, the site can become a hub for renewable energy, community benefit, and environmental restoration.
Why Solar, Not Golf?
While the PureSky team recognizes the public support of golf courses, there are significant benefits to solar that benefit the broader community. Solar delivers renewable energy, savings to local residents, recreational space, and long-term preservation of land.
Environmental Impact
- Nitrogen Reduction: A recent study shows that converting the golf course to solar will reduce nitrogen loading to nearby waterways by 98%, improving water quality and reducing risks of algal blooms.
- Less Irrigation: On average, 18-hole golf courses in New England use 300,000 to 500,000 gallons of water per year.*
- Chemical Use: Golf courses require fertilizers and pesticides—solar fields do not.
Community Benefit
- Clean Energy: Enough renewable power to serve thousands of Cape Cod households.
- Lower Bills: Guaranteed savings for subscribers, including low- and moderate-income families.
- New Amenities: Local trail, sledding hill plus conservation area keeps the land for local use.
- Jobs & Local Partnerships: Construction jobs, local business support, and local subscribers are already expressing interest.
Golf Course Reality Check
- Owner Perspective: Continuing to run the golf course is not a feasible path forward for the owner.
- Purchase Prices: Highest purchase prices come from renewable energy and housing developers.
- Benefits Broader Community: The space will not remain a golf course, regardless – developing it for solar is a preemptive choice in-line with local priorities to conserve the land and keep the space for public use.
Giving Back to Falmouth
Solar energy projects are an investment in the town’s future for everyone, not just a select number of people.
Beyond Energy, the project includes:
- Land donation of 137 acres for public use, including trails and open space
- Lease revenue for the town for decades
- Community solar savings for local residents and businesses. What is this?
- Long-term partnerships with institutions like WHOI, supporting scientific research and the blue economy.
“We would like to reiterate that we support the development of large scale solar in Falmouth and believe that the PureSky project can be a great asset for the Town.”
“As we have stated publicly, we feel strongly that additional community benefits, in particular, a portion of the output from the solar array be dedicated to low to moderate income community-shared solar for Falmouth residents. We would also like to see how the Eversource required battery system can be leveraged for community resilience. Elements like these help keep more of the tangible benefits of renewable energy in our community and helps to reduce the financial burden of transitioning to a low carbon economy.”
— Falmouth Energy Commission
Megan Amsler, Chair, Alessandor Bocconcelli, David Leslie, Eleanor Ling, Matt Pattrick, Scott Mueller
Local Support for Solar
Dozens of letters have been submitted from across the community, including local organizations, sustainability leaders, and residents. The support base is broad, diverse, and growing.
PureSky Energy’s plan to preserve the surrounding landscape, rehabilitate some areas with the installation of local greenery, and improve accessibility for walkers and children will enhance the use of this open space while providing the Town of Falmouth a valuable source of revenue. More
— Michael Kasparian, President, Falmouth Chamber of Commerce
What affects one, affects all, and so it is with fierce urgency that I support including the proposed zoning bylaw amendment and request to include the listed parcels in the Town of Falmouth’s solar overlay district.
— Amelie LaTourette, Close Neighbor
I have had a home on the Coonamessett Pond for 35 years. I get up each morning and enjoy the beautiful and serene view of this wonderful resource. This is a resource enjoyed not only by our neighborhood but by many residents of Falmouth…Leaving the land open by turning it into an environment protecting solar array is a perfect resolution.
— Bernard Aserkoff, Close Neighbor
We the trustees of the association (we cannot speak for each individual homeowner) support the proposed solar farm on this property, based on their proposal to maintain a significant vegetated visual buffer from the pond and avoid use of any chemicals on the property that could damage the environment or the pond. We use the pond extensively for swimming, kayaking, fishing, and other recreational purposes and want to have the peaceful nature of the area and safe water quality of the pond maintained.
— Gayle Perry – President
The Trustees of the Lochstead Association
I am writing in support of the new solar array possibility. In addition to the benefit of green energy, it is also a wonderful opportunity to preserve the land.
— Sarah Joslin, local community member
What is Community Solar?
The proposed solar projects on the Cape Cod Country Club site will provide savings on electricity to local residents. It costs nothing to participate and is available to anyone interested in subscribing.
FAQs
How was the Cape Cod Country Club chosen for these projects?
As PureSky Energy was exploring locations for these projects, the company was put in touch with the owner of the country club. From the start, it was a priority to find a site that was already cleared or previously developed. In fact, the Massachusetts state government encourages solar development on golf courses for this reason because they offer open land without requiring major forest clearing or habitat disruption.
Why did the current owner not sell the land to another golf course operator?
We cannot speak for the owner, but we know the family was looking to exit the golf course business in the area and explore alternative land use options for the course. Through our agreement with the Friels, the local community can continue to enjoy and benefit from the land.
Is this community solar or an industrial site?
This is a community solar site, meaning that the energy generated will provide savings on electricity to the local community, with Falmouth residents and businesses receiving first priority for subscriptions. It costs nothing to participate and is available to any local Eversource customers interested in subscribing. Subscribers will receive guaranteed savings on their overall electricity costs, with added discounts available for income-eligible households.
How will the projects improve or impact groundwater and runoff?
About 10 acres of trees will be cleared for the projects, mostly small clusters between fairways that offer limited wildlife habitat. To replace them, PureSky will replant roughly 16 acres of new trees and native vegetation in areas better suited for long-term ecological restoration. Overall, the projects will increase total tree cover and improve habitat quality across the site. Additionally, the areas under and around the solar panels will be planted with native, pollinator-friendly grasses and wildflowers, turning nearly 60 acres of former fairways into habitat for bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.
How much of the projects involve tree removal or clearing, in particular “virgin forest”? What’s being done to offset clearing?
About 10 acres of trees will be cleared for the projects, mostly small clusters between fairways that offer limited wildlife habitat. To replace them, PureSky will replant roughly 16 acres of new trees and native vegetation in areas better suited for long-term ecological restoration. Overall, the projects will increase total tree cover and improve habitat quality across the site. Additionally, the areas under and around the solar panels will be planted with native, pollinator-friendly grasses and wildflowers, turning nearly 60 acres of former fairways into habitat for bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.