Nautilus Solar Energy has built a 7 MW community solar farm, constructed on the Quarry sand pit, in North Berwick, Maine.
The community solar farm provides clean energy to 66 commercial off-takers within the Central Maine Power utility territory with an annual production of 10 million kWh. The farm can offset 7 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions similar to removing 1500 cars from the roads.
The project, qualified under the Maine Net Energy Billing Commercial program, will help subscribers reduce their monthly utility bills by 15 percent as well as their carbon footprint.
While 35 percent of the development of the solar farm was provided by local construction, engineering, and electrical workers, another 20-25 opportunities were created for ongoing electrical and site vegetation management crews. The project has contributed to both income and economic growth for the community.
"By repurposing a former sand quarry, we have achieved much more than clean energy generation," said Eric LaMora, Executive Director of Community Solar at Nautilus Solar Energy. "This project serves as a shining example of the potential to unlock local job opportunities and stimulate economic growth."
Nautilus, responsible for asset management, maintenance services and subscriber acquisition of the project, had acquired the Quarry community solar farm along with three other projects totaling 25.4 MW from Endurance in 2021.
“Our team worked diligently with the quarry owner-operator, town, and state to properly manage the land use transition from sand to solar," said Michael Lucini, President of Endurance Clean Energy. "We are excited to see those efforts realized today. Previously, this site contributed to building Maine for many years. Now, it will contribute to sustainably powering Maine for many more years.”
