A 14,000-panel photo voltaic array on a household farm in Livermore Falls will energy 5 Maine public faculties, producing almost 6.5 million kilowatt hours of fresh vitality every year.
The US Division of Agriculture supplied greater than $15 million in funding for the Souther Farm venture. USDA Director for Rural Growth 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 faculties. – 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 objectives.
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 Faculties Superintendent Maria Libby says the array will cowl 90 p.c of the varsity district’s electrical energy invoice.
“Now we have taken many steps to display a dedication to being as environmentally accountable as we are able to as a faculty district.
Libby says the highschool has photo voltaic panels on its roof and a wind turbine, the center college has a brand new sewer thermal water heating system and the district has a brand new electrical college bus, funded by the EPA. grant
Hampson mentioned the Inflation Discount Act will even present loans and grants via the USDA’s Electrical Mortgage Program to develop clear vitality, rework rural electrical energy manufacturing and create jobs within the coming months.
