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FARMINGTON — The Select Board took no action Oct. 13 on a proposal by a community solar company, renewing concerns about municipal involvement in promoting a private company’s services.
Solar Simplified, of Chicago, Illinois, presented a potential partnership offering eligible Central Maine Power customers a 15% discount on applied solar credits without installing solar panels or changing electricity providers. The company would also contribute $100 to the town for each enrolled household or business.
Town Manager Erica LaCroix emphasized in a follow-up response that the presentation was informational and the town has not committed to pursuing a partnership.
“This was just a presentation and not something the town actively sought out,” LaCroix said.
Sasha Lukovenko, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing, estimated that at least 100 Farmington accounts could enroll, potentially generating $10,000 for the town. The figure is a projection, not guaranteed revenue.
Selectman Randall Gauvin questioned whether participating in the company’s outreach campaign would amount to a municipal endorsement of a private business.
“I’m not comfortable with being partnered with a private company to push their product,” Gauvin said.
The concern was not new. During a June 9 discussion about inviting Solar Simplified to make a presentation, Gauvin questioned the company’s sales approach, while Selectman Richard Morton called for independent information about community solar and potential consumer savings.
At that meeting, Morton expressed concern that information from a company selling subscriptions might not provide an unbiased explanation of the program. The board discussed seeking additional guidance, potentially from the state, before deciding how the town should participate in public outreach.
During the October presentation, Lukovenko maintained that the proposed arrangement would focus on consumer education rather than municipal endorsement. Solar Simplified would prepare informational materials for town review and approval, with possible outreach through public information sessions, municipal communications and community events.
The company would cover campaign expenses, while town staff would help review materials and coordinate activities.
Community solar allows customers to subscribe to electricity generated at off-site solar farms and receive credits on their utility bills. Under Solar Simplified’s proposal, participants would pay for those credits at a discounted rate, with savings depending on the credits applied to their electricity bills.
The advertised 15% discount applies to solar credits, not necessarily to a customer’s entire electricity bill.
LaCroix confirmed that participating households and businesses would not receive separate bills from Solar Simplified. Charges and credits would instead be handled through Central Maine Power.
Lukovenko said the company adjusts solar allocations monthly based on customers’ electricity use. Participants would not face enrollment or cancellation fees and could leave the month-to-month program at any time, he said.
The company’s solar projects in Standish, Freeport and Dover-Foxcroft are expected to begin operating in the first quarter of 2027. Participating customers would begin receiving credits about two to three billing cycles after the projects become operational, according to Lukovenko.
Farmington participates in community solar through Ampion for municipal electricity accounts, although the arrangement has presented challenges.
LaCroix said the town initially received insufficient solar allocations to realize its expected savings, requiring adjustments. The arrangement has since improved, but delayed billing continues to complicate municipal budget tracking.
Farmington’s Ampion agreement carries a five-year commitment, compared with the month-to-month participation proposed by Solar Simplified.
The town has also researched competing community solar providers. In June correspondence, Executive Assistant Leah Giusti identified Nexamp, RooflessSolar, Common Energy and PowerMarket as alternatives offering varying discounts and enrollment arrangements.
LaCroix said Farmington plans to examine other programs and remains open to informational presentations from companies offering services that could benefit residents.
She said programs that could help the community or respond to requests from residents may be brought before the board for discussion.
“To say we are considering this would be a bit premature,” LaCroix said.
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Rebecca Richard is a reporter for the Franklin Journal. She graduated from the University of Maine after studying literature and writing. She is a small business owner, wife of 33 years and mom of eight… More by Rebecca Richard
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