Maine’s second member-owned solar farm cleared a hurdle on the way to obtaining town approval for the solar farm’s construction on Gardiner Road in Wiscasset Monday, Nov. 9.
The Wiscasset Planning Board unanimously voted to accept the solar farm’s site plan review application as complete, pending the submission of a missing survey of an abutting property.
A public hearing and final vote on the solar farm’s site plan review application is slated for Nov. 23. Hans Albee, of ReVision Energy, anticipates construction of the solar farm will begin shortly after final planning board approval is obtained. The solar farm will be completed over the winter or “spring at the latest” if approved, Albee said.
“This project could have gone through without even coming before us,” Chair Ray Soule said.
Albee came before the planning board on Aug. 31 to discuss the proposed member-owned solar farm to be located on a 180-by-50-foot tract of land on Morris Farm. While not a structure identified in the town’s development ordinance, the planning board requested that the solar farm undergo a full site plan review due to its visibility and proximity to Gardiner Road (Route 27).
Wiscasset’s solar farm was inspired by the solar farm constructed on River Road in Edgecomb, which has been operational since July, solar farm association member Sam Selby previously said. Inspired by the project, Sam and Cayda Selby began to explore the possibility of launching a member-owned solar farm in Wiscasset.
The Morris Farm Board of Directors quickly agreed to lease a small tract of land on their property for the project. In a member-owned solar farm model, up to nine individuals can form an association and receive energy credits for the solar energy produced by the farm.
The model allows energy consumers in Central Maine Power Co.’s coverage area to benefit from solar energy, even if they are unable to add an individual solar unit to their residence. The Selbys were unable to go solar due to their home’s location in a wooded area, Sam Selby said.
Through the association, the Selbys will now be able to participate in the renewable energy movement. Eight members are currently a part of the association supporting the solar farm in Wiscasset, Albee said. Once ReVision Energy completes construction of the solar array, it will be owned by association members, he said.
The solar farm in Wiscasset will be composed of 152 solar panels installed in two rows, 130 feet long and 30 feet apart, Albee said. The installation aims to produce approximately 60,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year.
The cost of the installation’s construction is approximately $180,000, Albee said – an investment association members are projected to see a return on, in energy savings, in 10 to 12 years. The installation will be located approximately 25 feet from Gardiner Road.
The Wiscasset Planning Board requested the solar farm go through a site plan review, in part, to inform the public about the project and allow the public to weigh in on it. The solar farm in Edgecomb was discussed with the Edgecomb Planning Board; however, it was determined the project did not require planning board approval or a building permit.
According to Selby, the only feedback he has received has been overwhelmingly positive. Abutting property owners attended the planning board meeting to learn more about the project, but had no objections to it, they said.
“(The site plan review) feels a little tedious, but it’s fine,” Selby said. “It has added some expense to the project, but I’m in favor of due process.”
Following the public hearing on Nov. 23, the planning board will take a final vote on the site plan review application. Despite colder temperatures setting in, Albee anticipates, if approved Nov. 23, ReVision Energy will be able to complete the underground portion of construction before the ground freezes.
“This time of year, there’s always pressure to get things moving before the weather closes in on us,” Albee said, “but we can deal with a little bit of frost.”
Interest in member-owned solar farms is spreading through Lincoln County, with a property owner in Alna also exploring the possibility of launching one. The Alna Planning Board briefly discussed an inquiry from property owner Chris Kenoyer at their Nov. 2 meeting about what process the Alna Planning Board would require to form a solar farm in Alna
