The solar industry is booming in Maine. In December, Vermont-headquartered Encore Renewable Energy announced the launch and activation of two solar projects: the 4 MW Brooks Solar project in Brooks and the 2.3 MW Alpine Street Solar project in Oakland. As the company transitions to being an Independent Power Producer, the two projects are the first to be owned and operated by the company as a long-term asset owner rather than a project developer. Alpine Street Solar, in particular, is set to deliver energy to big electric customers such as towns and schools.
Eric Sutton, vice president of electric operations at Central Maine Power, which acted as a vital partner, noted, “These projects were two of more than 60 solar projects which came online in Maine communities in 2024, totaling 241 new megawatts of new solar power. We strongly support Maine’s climate goals as we continue to connect more projects like these to our power grid in 2025.” Encore has already developed approximately 5 MW of solar in the state, with another 15 MW in active development and 25 MW in the development pipeline.
Additionally, Agrivoltaic Solutions will bring sheep to graze on the land around the arrays, thereby enhancing the soil quality and managing the growth of local vegetation. Local project partners included APA and Terrasmart, who were chosen because they “are uniquely positioned with their screw solutions to work with Maine topography by helping to mitigate ground disturbance and other issues that would arise with standard pile solutions in these areas,” the company explained. Encore also provides charitable donations to local communities.
Photo Courtesy Encore Renewable Energy
In January, Vermont-based Norwich Technologies announced that, with the help of its partners, Bridge Renewable Energy and Solaris Energy, it completed a 700 kW AC solar project in Winthrop. The project is next to an egg farm on land that used to serve agricultural purposes but now lies unused. With 1,053 fixed-tilt, ground-mounted solar panels, it will deliver 1,200 MWh of electricity to the grid per year through Central Maine Power Company, enough to power 165 homes annually. Specifically, the power generated will power affordable apartments under the management of The Szanton Company. The project will also eliminate about 860 metric tons of carbon, the same amount stored by one thousand acres of forest annually and equivalent to removing 185 cars.
It is just the beginning for the three companies; they are set to collaborate on four projects overall. Jim Merriam, CEO of Norwich Technologies, explained, “Renewable energy projects bring a multitude of benefits to the region; more than just clean energy. It’s our mission to create projects that have a net positive impact for multiple stakeholders; from the communities that host the projects, to our construction contractors, to our financial partners and through to the end users – the energy customers.”
Photo Courtesy Norwich Technologies
In February, Louth Callan Renewables announced that it had begun construction on the 28 MW Mousam Solar project in Sanford. The 110-acre project is estimated to generate enough power for thousands of Maine businesses and residences and create 100 jobs.
Nicholas Sylvestre, managing member, reflected, “Breaking ground on the Mousam Solar project marks another milestone for Louth Callan Renewables as we expand our clean energy construction portfolio into utility-scale solar projects. As we continue our successful transition into the construction of large-scale solar projects (30mws and larger) we are proud to continue to deliver high-quality solar infrastructure projects that benefit the environment, local communities, and our IPP and Utility Partners.”
It is not the company’s first project in Maine. Also in February, the company announced that it had completed construction on the 30 MW Leeds Solar project. Between construction and long-term operational needs, the project created 90 jobs.
Photo Courtesy Louth Callan Renewables
More solar projects are on the way, as well. In March, residents of Moscow voted 35-10 in a secret ballot at a town meeting to get rid of an ordinance passed in 2023 that prohibited the development of commercial solar and projects greater than 40 kilowatts. The vote came in response to Pittsfield, Maine-based Cianbro Corp. and Massachusetts-headquartered Patriot Renewables’ plans to construct the 60 MW Radar Solar project at an old U.S. Air Force radar base across 97 acres in Moscow and 105 acres in Caratunk. The project will generate $150,000 in tax revenue annually for Moscow and $180,000 annually for Caratunk and reduce carbon emissions by 57,000 tons per year.
