Standard Solar and Acadia Energy Partner to Repurpose Former Industrial Site for a 7.5 MW Solar Farm in Fort Fairfield, Maine
ROCKVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#industrial—Standard Solar, Inc., a leader in the acquisition, development, ownership and operation of commercial and community solar, is partnering with Acadia Energy to develop a 7.5 megawatt (MW) solar farm in an industrial park in the Town of Fort Fairfield (Town), Maine. The area is on the western side of the former ReEnergy biomass plant site.
The solar farm will lease land from Smith’s Farm, Inc and land previously used for a biomass power facility owned by ReEnergy Biomass Operations, which transferred the site to the Town after the facility was decommissioned.
“The Fort Fairfield project will transform the least desirable area of the former industrial site into a clean energy producer that benefits the community while creating additional lots for the Town to lease or sell,” said Eric Partyka, Director of Business Development, Standard Solar. “The Town is showing tremendous leadership and vision in taking this step toward a more sustainable future. We are proud to partner with Acadia Energy to bring the Town and Aroostook County the benefits of local clean energy.”
“Former industrial sites are ideal for solar energy development,” said Glenn Walker of Acadia Energy. “Our partnership with Standard Solar on the Fort Fairfield project will provide a model that can be followed throughout Maine and around the U.S., showing how to successfully transition industrial sites with limited potential into a solar farm that will save money for local businesses and benefit the environment.”
“Fort Fairfield’s Town Manager, Andrea Powers, and the Town Council were instrumental in helping to appropriately site the project, while at the same time creating additional value for the Town through the preservation of several prime industrial sites for future development,” echoed Partyka and Walker.
The fixed tilt ground mount system is projected to generate 9,112 megawatt-hours in its first year of operation. Smith’s Farm will use approximately 10 percent of the power generated. The remainder will benefit other commercial and industrial organizations throughout Aroostook County.
Construction on the project is expected to begin in May, with completion targeted for the fourth quarter of this year.
About Standard Solar
Standard Solar is powering the nation’s energy transformation – channeling its project development capabilities, financial strength and technical expertise to deliver the benefits of solar, as well as solar + storage, to businesses, institutions, farms, governments, communities and utilities. Building on 18 years of sustainable growth and in-house and tax equity investment capital, Standard Solar is a national leader in the development, funding and long-term ownership and operation of commercial and community solar assets. Recognized as an established financial partner with immediate, deep resources, the company owns and operates more than 250 megawatts of solar across the United States. Standard Solar is based in Rockville, Md. Learn more at standardsolar.com, LinkedIn and Twitter: @StandardSolar.
For project acquisition and development inquiries, contact Eric Partyka, at eric.partyka@standardsolar.com and on LinkedIn.
About Acadia Energy
Acadia Energy is an NH-based developer of solar with over 20 MWs of solar in Maine under construction or in stages of development and a pipeline of over 300 MWs of solar and energy storage projects in the US. Acadia’s team has over 50 years experience working on renewable energy projects with communities, universities, and landowners. Acadia is focused on accelerating sensible renewable and energy storage projects in practical locations while creating value for landowners and project stakeholders. Learn more about Acadia Energy at acadiaenergyllc.com.
Contacts
PR Contact:
Leah Wilkinson
Wilkinson + Associates for Standard Solar
703-907-0010
