Courtesy / USDA Rural Development
Jewel Bronaugh, deputy director of the USDA
August 26, 2022
Rural Maine to get $28M in federal funds for renewable energy projects
By Staff
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday it will invest $28.3 million in renewable energy projects across 11 organizations in rural Maine.
The investment is part of an overall investment of $121 million in critical infrastructure to combat climate change across rural America. The nationwide investments include $111 million for 289 projects to help people living in socially vulnerable communities.
The investments are part of the federal Inflation Reduction Act announced earlier this week, the department’s deputy director, Jewel Bronaugh, said in a news release.
The benefits are expected to extend beyond the cost savings that will be realized by small business owners and farmers, said the department’s rural development Maine state director Rhiannon Hampson.
“From solar panels on barn roofs to projects that support multiple households and business subscribers, USDA Rural Development is putting money to work for Maine and our environment,” she said.
The money comes through the department’s Rural Energy for America Program.
Projects include:
• Hermon Solar LLC, $12.626 million, to build a 6.3-megawatt, ground-mount, solar facility in Hermon, expected to produce 8.342 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first full year of operation and create three jobs .
• Somerset Solar LLC, $11.695 million, to build a 6.8-megawatt, ground-mount solar facility in Pittsfield, expected to produce 8.856 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first full year of operation and create three jobs.
• RE Sidney Solar LLC, $3.925 million, to building a 2.58-megawatt, ground-mount solar facility in Sidney, expected to produce 3.259 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first full year of operation and create three jobs.
• Balfour Farm LLC, an off-grid organic dairy farm and cheese maker in Pittsfield, $20,000, to install a 16.06-kilowatt, solar photovoltaic system, expected to save $7,950 per year. It will replace 19,008 kilowatt-hours, which is 62% of the farm’s energy use per year. This is enough energy to power 2.6 homes.
• Camp Winnebago Inc., a youth boys camp in Fayette, $20,000 to build a 37.35-kilowatt, roof-mount solar photovoltaic array, expected to save $4,381 per year. It will replace 43,240 kilowatt-hours, which is 93% of the camp’s energy use per year. This is enough to power six homes.
• Curtis Air, a family-run aircraft repair facility in Pittsfield, $18,321, to install a 36-kilowatt, roof-mount solar photovoltaic system, expected to save $4,538 per year. It will generate 44,810 kilowatt-hours, which is more than 100% of the business energy use per year. This is enough to power 6.2 homes.
• Timber Ridge Farm, a horse and dog training and boarding facility in Saco, $17,430, to install a 25.92-kilowatt, roof-mount solar photovoltaic system, expected to save $2,211 per year. It will generate 31,665 kilowatt-hours, which is more than 100% of the business energy use. This is enough to power 4.4 homes.
• JCOM Corp., a computer repair business in Rockland, $14,557, to install a 17.6-kilowatt, roof-mount solar photovoltaic system, expected to save $2,500 per year. It will generate 17,340 kilowatt-hours, which is 81% of the business use per year. This is enough to power 2.4 homes.
• TMDE Calibration Labs Inc., JCOM Corp., $13,103, to install a 20.16- kilowatt, roof-mount, solar photovoltaic system in Richmond. This project will generate 44,810 kilowatt-hours, which is more than 100% of the business’ energy use per year. The array will provide an uninterrupted power supply for the business and offer true measurement of power for sensitive uses of equipment. This is enough energy to power 3.8 homes.
• Catherine Durkin, owner of Calyx Farm, an organic vegetable farm located in Morrill, $7,250 to install a 10.56- kilowatt, roof-mount, solar photovoltaic system. This project is expected to save $2,119 per year. It will generate 16,820 kilowatt-hours, which is 76% of the farm’s energy use per year. This is enough energy to power 1.8 homes.
• Troika Drafts, a horse farm and stable located in Hebron, $2,584 to install a 9.6- kilowatt, roof-mount, solar photovoltaic array. This project is expected to save $810 per year. It will generate an estimate of 12,003 kilowatt-hours, which is more than 100% of the farm’s energy use per year. This is enough energy to power 1.1 homes.
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