All permits required for Encore Renewable Energy to construct a 5-MW solar array on underutilized land in Oakland, Maine, have been approved. The permit was secured working collaboratively and remotely with local officials from the Town of Oakland. Once completed, the new solar array will produce enough clean electricity to power nearly 10,000 Maine homes.
Encore continues to work remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic and wants to be part of the state’s economic recovery with the development and deployment of clean energy across the state. Following the successful passage of a number of forward-looking renewable energy bills by the legislature and the Mills Administration, Maine’s solar market is poised to be a driver of the economic recovery coming out of the pandemic.
Encore was selected by Competitive Energy Services (CES) of Portland, Maine to provide net metering credits from the project to a group of CES customers. These customers, which include businesses, municipalities and academic institutions, will receive economic relief in the form of lower annual electricity costs, as well as renewable energy credits from the project. The project is expected to be constructed later this year.
and Choice“Maine’s solar market has been advancing steadily under Governor Mills’ leadership. This project and others that follow will support Maine’s growing clean energy economy,” said Encore Renewable Energy Founder and CEO, Chad Farrell. “Solar and energy storage will provide local communities and Maine businesses with economic relief in the form of affordable electricity, lease income for landowners, tax revenue for communities and jobs, all while addressing the climate crisis.”
The Maine solar market is entering a period of significant expansion. According to SEIA’s Solar Market Insights Report, Maine is projected to develop 873 MW of solar over the next 5 years, which will result in the State moving from one of the lesser developed solar markets in the country to one of the more advanced over the next several years.
“We will be dealing with the impacts of the current pandemic for some time, and as we move forward, we welcome the opportunity to work with Maine communities to help responsibly develop the state’s solar resource in ways that benefit both the communities in which we are working as well as the overall Maine economy,” added Farrell.
— Solar Builder magazine
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