Solar Power

Introduction

Although there are many clean energy sources we think solar has the greatest promise because it is readily available and requires little maintenance. This section focuses on “active” solar. For general "passive" solar information click here.

Solar Arrays

Electricity from a solar array is reliable and affordable. Costs have plummeted and due to State and Federal legislation there are more options available for everyone. The Conservation Commission (CC) endorses solar power for all St. George residents, municipal buildings (including school buildings) and businesses. Solar power can replace more costly and environmentally harmful power from carbon based fuels. Although saving money isn’t our primary focus it may be for many. So here are ways to improve the environment and save money.

Unless you are “off the grid”, the way to save is through Net Energy Billing (Net Metering). CMP offsets the value of the power from your array and only charges what isn’t offset or the minimum charge. Any extra production is “banked” and used on subsequent months up to one year after the power was produced. Generally, excess (banked) power occurs during the late spring, summer, and early fall and is used up the rest of the year. Sizing of the array is important because any unused “banked” power will be lost to the grid.

You can purchase an array or set up a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to purchase a set amount of solar power at a discount and in some cases buy the array later on. So consider the following options:

• Residential Rooftop Array: This will require an investment but after a few years it will pay for itself and start saving you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the array. Financing is available. 
• Municipal Solar: A PPA is used with no upfront cost and power is purchased at a discount. There is usually an option to purchase the array after a few years and then there will be much greater savings. See Town Array below.
• Community Solar: This option is new and gives customers the ability to partly own or subscribe to large arrays that are built anywhere in Maine that CMP serves. PPAs are usually for 20 years but can be terminated at any time with a short transition period (most often two billing cycles). The CC suggests subscribing if you are unsure about owning an array. We see no downside for customers. However, any large-scale development can have ramifications and developers and local planning boards must be responsible for where the farms are sited.
• Vendors: The CC does not endorse any particular vendor but here are some we have dealt with:
  • ReVision Energy
  • Sundog Solar
  • Maine Solar Solutions
  • Nexamp Community Solar

Additional Solar Array Information

• Energy Sage has a good overview of all the options
• Information pamphlet by Sandra Dickson
• Efficiency Maine
• Natural Resources Council of Maine
• Solar Energy Industries Association
• U.S. Department of Energy

Seminars

The Conservation Commission held the two seminars listed below for which recordings are available.

Solar Program

• October 1, 2020 from 6:30-8:00PM
  • Learn about the basics of solar arrays from Kendra Jo Gridle of the Island Institute
  • Learn about new and future laws from Seth Berry State Representative
  • To see a recording of the seminar click here
• November 12, 2020 from 6:30-8:00PM
  • Local vendors talked about  new community solar options that save money while protecting the environment
  • To see a recording of the seminar click here

Town Solar Array

The Town has an array that provides over 90% of the town’s municipal buildings electricity.

In 2014 the Conservation Commission recognizing both the ecological and financial benefits of solar energy initiated a study to determine the feasibility of installing a solar system to provide electric power for the town’s municipal buildings. The study included assessing the power usage, potential locations for installing an array and the financial aspects of installing a system. Over the next year proposals were solicited and evaluated from several potential suppliers. 

In late 2015 the Conservation Commission recommended the Town engage with a solar provider to install a ~65 kW photovoltaic (PV) system at the Transfer Station, using a “Power Purchase Agreement” (PPA) to reduce the Town’s electricity costs, and be good to the environment. Subsequently the Select Board formed a Working Group, to pursue this recommendation.  In 2016 due to the uncertainty in net energy billing, declining costs and improving efficiency – the working group recommended that the Town postpones committing to install a PV system until its economic viability is clearer.

Once the above conditions became stable and the Town again pursued the initial recommendation. In 2017 the Town signed a Power Purchase Agreement with ReVision Energy to install a 67.5 kilowatt solar array on the Transfer Station’s south facing roof. Dedicated on April 9th 2018, it generated over 70 million watts of electricity in 2019 and 89 million watt hours in 2020. There was no cost to install the system but the Town may purchase the electricity produced at a fixed rate. With CMP prices already rising, the Town is saving money. However, we can save much more if we purchase the system at a significant discount after six years.

See how it’s doing here

• System Performance
• Power Production