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New solar panels on the roof of Harpswell Community School could start generating electricity this year.
Shawn Johansen, director of facilities for Maine School Administrative District 75, said that after contractors receive a few remaining pieces and paperwork is finalized by Central Maine Power, the array will generate about 110,000 kilowatt-hours of energy each year.
The electricity will be sold back to CMP rather than going to the building, but the generation will slightly exceed the school’s current usage. A 2026 report by the architecture and engineering firm Harriman said the building used approximately 87,000 kilowatt-hours in the 2024-25 school year.
ReVision Energy is installing the array. The company also installed solar panels on Mt. Ararat High School when it was rebuilt in 2021. ReVision proposed the array on Harpswell Community School. It is also working with the district to install an array on Bowdoin Central School.
The array is being paid for by a third-party investor, Massachusetts-based Blue Haven Solar. The school district has a 25-year lease for the array and will receive energy credits from CMP, effectively lowering the school’s electricity bill.
The investor, who will get tax credits for their investment, also will pay for the array’s maintenance.
Johansen said the arrangement means there are no additional costs to taxpayers. The agreement does include an option for the district to buy the array after seven years.
Johansen said the district will save a small sum of money, likely about $1,800 in the first year, with the credits from the array. He said adding solar energy is primarily a way to reduce the district’s carbon footprint.
Sam Lemonick is a staff reporter at the Harpswell Anchor. He can be reached at [email protected].
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