Photo / Courtesy Sundog Solar
Sundog Solar installed two independent systems of 208 panels and 140 panels at Bartlett Woods Retirement Community.
November 12, 2024
One of Rockland’s largest solar projects now resides at a retirement community
Photo / Courtesy Bartlett Woods Inc.
From left, Rockland Mayor Nicole Kalloch; Bartlett Woods’ board chair J. Michael Lane, maintenance director Matt Waldron and executive director Kelly Osborn; Chamber of Commerce Board Member Steve Matteo, Sundog Solar’s design engineer Douglas Bolstridge and owner Danny Piper. Bartlett Woods’ solar panels can be seen in the background.
Bartlett Woods Retirement Community, in Rockland, has completed installation of roughly 350 solar panels on the roof of the apartment house as part of a sustainability initiative.
The installation is one of the largest in Rockland, according to a news release.
The retirement community, at 20 Bartlett Drive, is a nonprofit, age 55-plus residence that was founded in 1998. It has 58 one- and two-bedroom apartments and a staff of 40.
Annual savings
The project was designed to meet approximately 50% of the nonprofit’s electrical requirements by maximizing the number of panels that could fit on the roof.
”The panels will reduce Bartlett’s electric bill by about $30,000 annually,” said J. Michael Lane, president of Bartlett Woods’ board of directors.
The federal government will reimburse Bartlett Woods for 30% of the cost.
“Overall, the project will offer a return on investment of over 10%,” said Lane. “The panels are expected to last at least 25 years.”
The panels are expected to eliminate the generation of 230,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually — the equivalent of planting 1,700 trees each year.
Installation was done by Sundog Solar of Searsport.
”Their proposal was chosen as having the most favorable financial impact of three proposals submitted,” said Lane.
The project comprises two independent systems, one with 208 panels and the other with 140 panels. Both systems are equipped with monitoring that allows for real-time tracking of energy production and savings.
Heat pumps
Work has also begun to convert from a heating system that uses fuel oil and propane to one using heat pumps, which is expected to save more energy.
“Once the system is completed, Bartlett Woods will be able to heat and cool our 58-unit apartment building by using only solar energy on an annual basis,” said Kelly Osborn, Bartlett Woods’ executive director.
Installation of heat pump systems throughout the building, being done by Belfast-based SolarLogix, was made possible by a grant from Efficiency Maine.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments