FREEPORT
A New England company with offices in Maine and New Hampshire is now offering shares in a Freeport solar farm to be built in the fall.
ReVision Energy is currently selling shares in the farm to be built on the property of Maine Idyll Court on Route 1 for those who want the benefits of solar energy, but whose home or property are not advantageous to the use of solar panels.
ReVision Energy began in 2003 and has installed more than 3,000 systems. It has branches in Portland and Liberty, as well as New Hampshire.
Energy from the solar array will be sent to the local power grid. Shareholders will, in turn, receive credit on their electric bills for the amount of kilowatt hours generated.
Farms will consist of nine members who own shares. Shareholders can purchase as many or as few panels as they wish, based on their energy needs. The average solar farm consists of about 200 panels and produces approximately 50,000 to 60,000 kilowatt hours per year.
According to ReVision Energy, this is equivalent to preventing about 44,439 pounds of coal from being burned or 4,655 gallons of gasoline from being used each year.
Maine Idyll Court owner David Marstaller will also be a shareholder of the farm. Between a nominal rental fee for the use of his property, current tax credits for solar use and his own share in the farm, Marstaller estimates about half of his energy needs will be met for his business.
Marstaller said groundwork construction will begin once the seasonal business has ended and will not interfere with normal Maine Idyll operations.
Shareholders in the farm — or anyone who installs solar panels — are eligible for 30 percent tax credit on their initial investment. The credit is due to expire at the end of the year. However, savings from energy produced will follow shareholders anywhere they move within Central Maine Power’s territory.
The first solar farm in Maine was installed by ReVision Energy in South Paris on the roof of an unused chicken barn.
Brunswick is also making a push toward renewable energy with its Solarize Brunswick program. The town is currently taking bids from some 30 local solar contractors in order to receive a bulk rate for rooftop installation for interested residents.
Brunswick will also offer shares in farms with credits that will follow homeowners and apartment tenants alike.
According to Brunswick Business Development Manager Linda Smith, the savings to residents and small businesses could be substantial, even eclipsing their current power bill. Not only would participants have the satisfaction of reducing their carbon footprint, but the typical 4.8 kilowatt system could pay for itself in under 13 years plus the 30 percent federal tax credit.
Energy to grow
REVISION ENERGY is currently selling shares in the farm to be built on the property of Maine Idyll Court on Route 1 for those who want the benefits of solar energy, but whose home or property are not advantageous to the use of solar panels.
ReVision Energy began in 2003 and has installed more than 3,000 systems. It has branches in Portland and Liberty, as well as New Hampshire.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less