December 6, 2021
Maine businesses to get $25M in federal funding for solar projects
By Staff
A dozen Maine businesses will receive a total of $24.5 million in new federal financing to develop solar power systems across the state.
Recipients range from a discount grocery story in Caribou to solar projects in Lewiston and Waterville, according to a news release.
The money, in the form of grants and guaranteed loans, is part of $633 million the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing nationwide to reduce the impact of climate change in rural communities and states. The initiative was launched under President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.
USDA solar project grant recipients
- Best for Less Inc., which does business as the Save-A-Lot grocery store, in Caribou, has received a grant of $44,591 to install a new solar photovoltaic system. The project is expected to save $53,296 per year and produce 427,777 kilowatt-hours annually, or 73% of the business’ energy use.
- Corey Rioux & Sons, a potato grower in Fort Kent, has received a grant of $32,560 to install a new solar photovoltaic system. The project is expected to save $13,735 per year and produce 98,504 kilowatt-hours annually, or 76% of the business’ energy use.
- Irving Farms Inc., a potato grower in Caribou, has received a grant of $153,295 to install a new solar photovoltaic system. The project is expected to save $56,956 per year and produce 478,748 kilowatt-hours annually, or 100% of the business’ energy use.
- Keith L. Miller, a dairy farmer who does business as Green Valley Farm in Newburgh, has received a grant of $45,000 to install a new solar photovoltaic system. The project is expected to save $15,931 per year and produce 111,390 kilowatt-hours annually, or 72% of business’ energy use.
- Savory’s, which does business as the Belfast Harbor Inn in Belfast, has received a grant of $36,560 to install a new solar photovoltaic system. The project is expected to save $14,707 per year and produce 119,740 kilowatt-hours annually, or 68% of the business’ energy use.
- Soderberg Co. Inc., a construction company in Caribou, has received a grant of $140,213 to install a new solar photovoltaic system. The project is expected to save $59,499 per year and produce 435,638 kilowatt-hours annually, or 100% of the business’ energy use.
- Stanley Subaru Inc., a car dealership in Trenton, has received a grant of $64,781 to install a new solar photovoltaic system. The project is expected to save $24,494 per year and produce 178,620 kilowatt-hours annually, or 100% of the business’ energy use.
USDA solar project loan recipients
- FSS Inc., in Belfast, has received a guaranteed loan with lender Androscoggin Savings Bank for $607,396. The loan will help FSS Inc. and POAFTROL LLC build a 452.5-kilowatt solar project in Belfast, and will also be financed by a borrower contribution of $107,859 and a non-guaranteed loan of $122,266. The project has net energy billing agreements with Central Maine Power Co. and is expected to produce 407,798 kilowatt-hours in the first full year of operation.
- Nextgrid Cliffrose LLC, in Lewiston, has received a guaranteed loan with lender Crestmark, part of Meta Bank, for $3.2 million. The loan will help Nextgrid Cliffrose build a 2.5-megawatt solar project in Lewiston. The project has net energy billing agreements with Central Maine Power Co., and is expected to produce 3.6 million kilowatt-hours in the first full year of operation and create three jobs.
- Nextgrid Mangrove LLC, in Lewiston, has received a guaranteed loan with lender Crestmark, part of Meta Bank, for $7 million. The loan will help Nextgrid Mangrove build a 5.6-megawatt solar project in Lewiston. The project has net energy billing agreements with Central Maine Power Co., and is expected to produce 7.7 million kilowatt-hours in the first full year of operation and create three jobs.
- Nextgrid Mastic LLC, in Waterville, has received a guaranteed loan with lender Crestmark, part of Meta Bank, for $6.3 million. The loan will help Nextgrid Mastic build a 5-megawatt solar project in Lewiston. In addition to this loan, the project will be financed by a borrower contribution of $1,397,361 and a tax equity investment of $3,425,534. The project has net energy billing agreements with Central Maine Power Co., and is expected to produce 6.7 million kilowatt-hours in the first full year of operation and create three jobs.
- Nextgrid Peppertree LLC, in Poland, has received a guaranteed loan with lender Crestmark, part of Meta Bank, for $7 million. The loan will help Nextgrid Cliffrose build a 5.6-megawatt solar project in Lewiston. The project has net energy billing agreements with Central Maine Power Co., and is expected to produce 7.6 million kilowatt-hours in the first full year of operation.
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