Center for an Ecology-Based Economy receives federal energy prize

NORWAY — The Center for an Ecology-Based Economy’s cooperative community solar project received the $100,000 Energizing Rural Communities Prize from the Department of Energy on July 14.

CEBE is a Norway-based climate justice nonprofit. Its consumer-owned community solar project was one of 67 winning entries selected from across the country and U.S. territories. Three other projects in Maine also were awarded funds, according to a news release from Renee Igo, communications and project coordinator with the center.

The idea for a community-driven, solar cooperative came about for CEBE several years before Maine’s net metering law was dramatically expanded in 2019. In 2017, CEBE’s Energy Working Group focused on the Department of Energy’s SunShot Challenge.

Back then, net metering in Maine was limited to 10 off-takers per installation, and solar was more expensive to install. Ultimately, despite receiving a technical assistance grant from the DOE, CEBE’s team was not able to produce a viable financial model under those conditions. But the organization did learn many important lessons, before working with a coalition of other climate-focused organizations to change the policy at the legislative level.

With Maine’s new net energy billing policy framework and lower costs for installed solar, CEBE now has a viable financial model. In the ongoing development process of the solar co-op, a steering committee has been working with the Cooperative Development Institute to iron out the management and governance structure. This project will build on CEBE’s previous efforts during the SunShot Challenge that identified multiple landowners for potential sites and generated a potential subscriber list.

CEBE’s model for community solar builds equity and dramatically lowers energy costs for consumer/owners over the lifetime of the system. Progressive solar legislation in Maine opened up a wave of solar development, and now typical consumers can save a fixed 10% or 15% on the energy portion of their bill through corporate community solar.

CEBE seeks to build energy equity through locally-owned projects in rural communities, where energy costs are a significant financial burden for many households.

“We’re so pleased to finally be moving this project forward to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and keep more of our energy dollars in our community,” said Scott Vlaun, CEBE’s executive director.

For more information on this project and how to become involved, visit ecologybasedeconomy.org or stop by CEBE’s office at 447 Main St. in Norway.