City of South Portland Furthers Commitment to Sustainability by Completing Final Phase of 12,746-Panel Solar Farm on Former Landfill
4.7 MW solar farm projected to offset 63% of the City of South Portland’s municipal load and save taxpayers more than $20 million over the 40-year commercial life of the panels
South Portland, ME ( South Portland ) – The City of South Portland is celebrating the completion of a 4.7 megawatt (MW) solar array that sits atop the City’s capped landfill. The array will generate an estimated 5.8 million kilowatt (kW) hours of renewable energy each year, offsetting 63% of the City of South Portland’s municipal electric load and 4,100 metric tons of annual carbon emissions, according to EPA statistics. In total, more than 80% of the City’s municipal electric load will now be offset by solar.
The three-phase project began in 2017 with a 1016 kW (DC) array, which was, at that time, the largest municipal solar project in Maine. In 2022, the expansion of “Landfill East” and addition of “Landfill West” added 474 kW (DC) and 3,251 kW (DC) to the total project. Today, these combined solar projects have the largest power potential of any solar array built on a municipal landfill in the state, according to Maine DEP.
“The City of South Portland is thrilled to announce the completion of this multi-phase project,” said City Manager Scott Morelli. “Thanks to this extraordinary collaborative effort, solar energy now powers the vast majority of municipal operations—a win for both the environment and taxpayers.”
The project was financed through Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) managed by ReVision Energy. The City of South Portland paid nothing to install the solar panels. Instead, Calibrant Energy, a leading distributed energy company deploying innovative Energy-as-a-Service solutions, paid the upfront cost and the City will pay for the power generated from the solar panels each month at a rate lower than utility-provided power. After seven years, the City has the option to purchase the system at a reduced price and own all of the solar power generated for the remainder of the warranty period and 40-year commercial lifespan.
“Calibrant Energy is proud to partner with the City of South Portland and ReVision Energy to support the City’s energy transition,” said Thomas Biddinger, Director of Partnerships at Calibrant Energy. “Delivering sustainable solar energy with flexible financing will provide economic and environmental benefits to the area for decades to come. This project is closely aligned with Calibrant Energy’s commitment to providing long-term energy solutions that are built for performance and sustainability.”
Dozens of local electricians, electrical apprentices, engineers, and other solar professionals were employed in the development and construction of the solar arrays. Beginning in 2013, ReVision Energy, the City of South Portland, and the City of Portland spent four years in a collaborative planning partnership before the first solar array was built in 2017.
“Transitioning society from fossil fuels to renewable energy and clean technology is the biggest infrastructure project in the history of humankind, and one of the greatest wealth creation opportunities of the 21st century. The City of South Portland’s clean energy leadership is already saving taxpayers money while significantly reducing local carbon pollution,” said Phil Coupe, co-founder of ReVision Energy. “Because the cost of solar technology has plummeted by 90% over the past two decades, the City of South Portland and its citizens will derive a strong economic and environmental return on this solar investment. And perhaps best of all, the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act will further reduce clean energy costs in 2023 and beyond, making solar power, heat pumps, battery storage and electric vehicles the most attractive options for homeowners, businesses, nonprofits and municipalities.
The City, Calibrant Energy, and ReVision Energy will celebrate the new solar installation with a ceremony on October 27 at 2 PM at the City’s Solar array at 929 Highland Ave. in South Portland, Maine. Honored guests include South Portland Mayor Deqa Dhalac, Thomas Biddinger, Director of Partnerships at Calibrant Energy, and Phil Coupe, co-founder of Revision Energy, who will be speaking at the event. Members of the public and media are welcome to attend.
About ReVision Energy
ReVision Energy is a 100% employee-owned solar company with offices in Portland and Montville, Maine; Brentwood and Enfield, New Hampshire; and North Andover, Massachusetts. With over 350 employee co-owners, 10,000 installations, and 19 years of experience, ReVision is New England’s leading full-service renewable energy contracting company. ReVision is a Certified B Corp with a mission to lead the community in solving the environmental problems caused by fossil fuels while alleviating economic and social injustice. Learn more at ReVisionEnergy.com.
Media Contact: Caitlin Brooke, ReVision Energy, [email protected], (207) 512-6035
About City of South Portland
The City of South Portland is a vibrant Southern Maine community of 26,000+ residents and over 1,500 businesses located on picturesque Casco Bay. www.southportland.org
Media Contact: Shara Drew, City of South Portland, [email protected], (207) 767-7606
About Calibrant Energy
Calibrant Energy is a total energy partner that simplifies the transition toward energy decarbonization and decentralization. Calibrant Energy creates smart energy solutions for companies and institutions by integrating the latest energy technologies with adaptive financing. Calibrant Energy brings together global innovators in energy, Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI), Siemens Financial Services (SFS) and Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG), to deliver distributed energy solutions that help achieve commercial, sustainability and strategic goals. Siemens Financial Services provides debt financing for Calibrant projects.
Calibrant Energy’s mission is to provide reliable, high-quality, and transformational energy solutions with end-to-end services. For more information, visit www.calibrantenergy.com
Contacts
Calibrant Energy
Anja Ansato
Prosek Partners
+1.646.818.9084
[email protected]