Lynne and Christopher Gilbert of Bristol had long been interested in solar power. Unfortunately, a solar array wouldn't have worked on their roof, since it's not the best angle for the sun and there are many trees around it.
Last summer, they were at a meeting of the Midcoast Green Energy Cooperative, an informal group interested in such matters. They learned the Maine Public Utilities Commission had adopted a rule that allowed up to nine energy consumers to generate electricity using renewable technology on a single site that would be interconnected with the local utility, in this case Central Maine Power, then receive a credit back for electricity.
This is the first member-owned solar farm in the state. The technology was installed by ReVision Energy of Liberty, which is seeing interest from other community groups. "We have nine new community solar farms currently under development," said ReVision solar advisor James Manzer, citing Freeport and Wiscasset as definites, with interest from folks in Wayne and Bar Harbor as well. "The Edgecomb solar farm led the way."
This is the first member-owned solar farm in the state. The technology was installed by ReVision Energy of Liberty, which is seeing interest from other community groups.
"We have nine new community solar farms currently under development," said ReVision solar advisor James Manzer, citing Freeport and Wiscasset as definites, with interest from folks in Wayne and Bar Harbor as well. "The Edgecomb solar farm led the way."
Full article is available here: http://www.islandinstitute.org/working-waterfront/maine%E2%80%99s-first-community-solar-farm-signals-trend?mc_cid=a36c3596c0&mc_eid=aa083dd9fe
