Renewable Energy Partners – Norwich Technologies, Solaris Energy and Bridge Renewables – Announce Completion of a 700 kW AC Solar Project.

Diana Wood

Norwich Technologies and partners Solaris Energy and Bridge Renewable Energy are pleased to announce the completion of a 700 kW AC solar project in Winthrop, Maine. The project was originated and permitted by Breakaway Renewables, the development division of Norwich Technologies with early financing through Solaris Energy. Norwich Solar, a division of Norwich Technologies completed the EPC (engineering, procurement & construction) work. Bridge Renewable Energy will be the long-term owner of the project.

This is the first of four projects in which these companies are partnering.

“Renewable energy projects bring a multitude of benefits to the region; more than just clean energy,” stated Jim Merriam CEO of Norwich Technologies. “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.”

Thanks to the Net Energy Billing Program, renewable energy projects provide affordable, renewable electricity for small businesses across Maine, saving customers up to 15% on their electricity bills with no upfront costs.

Kevin Davis, VP of Sales and Marketing for Norwich Technologies, said, “The energy billing credits from this project in Winthrop will be going to a portfolio of high quality, affordable apartments that are managed by The Szanton Company. Saving on their operating costs via solar power helps The Szanton Company keep rents reasonable for their tenants, something that is desperately needed as rates for housing continue to climb out of the reach of many.”

A 700-kW solar array was built on unused former farmland in Winthrop, ME. (Norwich Technologies)

“Solaris is proud to be a part of producing this greenfield development project, turning previously unused land adjacent to a farm into a clean energy source that provides energy savings to those in the surrounding community,” said Solaris Energy’s CEO and co-owner Nick Perugini. “This project represents the bright potential for solar projects to be a win-win-win as we look to increase clean-energy production to meet rising electricity demand across the country in 2025 and beyond.”

“Bridge Renewable Energy is excited to deepen our partnership with Solaris and enter the Maine market,” said Kevin Donlin, Managing Director of Investments at Bridge Renewable Energy (BRE). “The Net Energy Billing Program offers essential savings to small businesses statewide, and we’re proud to play a pivotal role. As we grow our presence in Maine, BRE is committed to developing and operating critical renewable energy infrastructure that will strengthen the state’s economy.”

The project will add over 1,200 MWh of electricity to the Maine grid annually. That’s enough energy to power over 165 homes for a year. The clean energy will offset almost 860 metric tons of CO2 which is like taking 185 cars off the road and roughly the same amount of CO2 a thousand acres forest sequesters each year. (CO2 offset statics are based on EPA calculations.)

The project consists of 1,053 fixed-tilt ground mounted solar panels that feed energy to the grid through Central Maine Power Company and serves Maine’s Net Energy Billing Program. The array is sited on unused former farmland and next to an egg farm.