Work has begun on the Southport solar project. The solar array going behind the sand pile off Cross Road will provide approximately 90% of the town’s electricity needs for the town office, firehouse, school, library, museum and town garage.

The builder, Maine Energy Performance Solutions (MEPS) of Washington, constructed a similar one for Whitefield in 2016.

Selectman Gerry Gamage explained the decision to go with MEPS: “Both (it) and Revision Energy bid for the work but Maine Energy came in with the better bid – some $60,000 under the appropriation of $175,000 that was approved by the voters in June, although there’ll likely be some additional costs and ongoing maintenance.”

The 53.3kW system with an anticipated annual output of 77,000 kilowatts will be on a piece of land approximately 200 feet by 150 feet. “The array is smaller than that,” said Gamage. “But we have to clear more to avoid shade. None of the array will be visible from anywhere but the sky.”

The energy produced will go back into the grid. “It doesn’t go directly to the town buildings,” said Gamage. “So if there’s a power outage we’ll still lose power like everyone else.” The energy will be credited to Southport at full value. And the installation cost is projected to be realized in about 10 years, said Richard Simon of MEPS. It’s further estimated that during the array’s 40-year lifespan, the town will make another $300,000, Gamage said.

Installation will begin sometime this fall, said Simon. “It’s a challenging site because it’s currently all wooded and is hilly and very rocky. The array should be fully functional by the end of the year.”