FREEPORT

Cooperation could lead to a win-win-win situation for energy needs in Freeport.

The town, the sewer district and Regional School Unit 5 are considering pursuing a joint solar project that would benefit all three entities.

According to Town Manager Peter Joseph, he and Town Planner Donna Larson met with the sewer and school districts to discuss a joint project. Joseph told The Times Record on Wednesday that he became aware that all three agencies were independently exploring solar array installation options to offset electricity costs.

“We are all kind of at the entry point of looking at doing something,” he said, regarding a solar energy project.

Conceptually, Joseph said, a larger combined project may be more attractive to bidders, installers and investors. And, it may generate better energy purchase rates through agreements to allow the entities to receive tax credits.

The final step would include ensuring Central Maine Power’s power grid infrastructure could accept the amount of electricity that would be generated by a solar array.

The town has contracted with Rich Rough- garden, an electrical engineer with Maine Solar Engineering, to conduct a preliminary study of a combined project. Joseph estimated this analysis will cost between $2,000-$2,500.

Last week, he gave councilors a conservative cost estimate of $20,000 for a design package. He said the hope would be that the three organizations split the costs three ways.

Joseph also noted the town has $29,000 in its energy savings reserve fund that could be spent on the project if it moves forward.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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