A 14,000-panel photo voltaic array on a household farm in Livermore Falls will energy 5 Maine public colleges, producing almost 6.5 million kilowatt hours of fresh vitality every year.
The US Division of Agriculture offered greater than $15 million in funding for the Souther Farm venture. USDA Director for Rural Improvement in Maine Rhiannon Hampson says farmer Harold Souther is working intently with USDA and Revision Power to protect his farm and go away a legacy of fresh vitality for 5 colleges. – Camden Rockport College District, Camden Hills Regional Excessive College, Mt Blue Regional College District, Regional College Unit 73 and Hope Elementary College.
“We do not need to take good, clear, wholesome agricultural land out of manufacturing to fulfill our renewable vitality targets.
Hampson says the venture permits Souther to lease a part of his land for the photo voltaic array and preserve some for his household farm.
Camden Rockport Colleges Superintendent Maria Libby says the array will cowl 90 p.c of the varsity district’s electrical energy invoice.
“We have now taken many steps to display a dedication to being as environmentally accountable as we are able to as a college district.
Libby says the highschool has photo voltaic panels on its roof and a wind turbine, the center faculty has a brand new sewer thermal water heating system and the district has a brand new electrical faculty bus, funded by the EPA. grant
Hampson mentioned the Inflation Discount Act will even present loans and grants by way of the USDA’s Electrical Mortgage Program to increase clear vitality, remodel rural electrical energy manufacturing and create jobs within the coming months.
