In a step toward energy independence and following the success of solar panels at their Vineyard Haven location, Cronig’s Market is planning to install a nearly $2 million solar canopy at its up-Island location.

Cronig’s owner Steven Bernier is financing the project himself and has contracted with South Mountain Company to complete installation of a 17-foot tall, 6,000-square-foot solar canopy. Solar panels will also be installed on both sides of Cronig’s roof and one side of the roof of the building that houses the West Tisbury post office.

In total, the 220-kilowatt array is estimated to provide 70 per cent of the store’s energy consumption, Mr. Bernier said, and he expects the project to pay for itself in about 11 years.

A solar canopy completed at the Vineyard Haven Cronig’s in 2012 provides 210 kilowatts of electricity, enough to meet more than a quarter of Cronig’s demand (the equivalent of powering 35 homes). The project was completed by Vineyard Power, and the energy generated goes back into the grid and Cronig’s receives credits. The up-Island installation will be financed by Mr. Bernier and the power will go directly to the store.

“What I’m doing up-Island takes all that merry-go-round out,” said Mr. Bernier. “I’d like to be more self sufficient and less dependent.”

The project was approved by the West Tisbury zoning board of appeals on Jan. 7 and is now in a 20-day appeal period. The canopy exceeds the 12-foot height limit and 1,500 square feet area limit outlined in town zoning bylaws. It also does not meet the required property line setback. The board of appeals approved a special permit to exceed the height and square footage limitations, and also approved the setback relief, pending planning board approval of a small change in lot lines.

Zoning board of appeals chairman Nancy Cole called the special permit routine and the setback relief minimal. “[Steve Bernier] is only looking for a little change,” she said. “He just needs a little jog in the lot lines.”

She said no abutters had any issues with the canopy project. The project must still be approved by the building inspector and the planning board.

The height is an important factor, Mr. Bernier said, because the canopies must allow for the tallest trucks to enter the parking lot and must clear the shade of trees to be the most productive, while the area allows them to maximize the number of solar panels installed. “We thought it would be better to do what we thought it was right to do and get the variance,” he said.

Plans for the new array include three charging stations for electric cars.

With work slated to begin when the weather warms, if other permits are cleared, the new array is expected to be up and running by Thanksgiving 2016. Prior to beginning the work, the 25-year-old roof at the market will be replaced, Mr. Bernier said.