LEWISTON — A Lisbon farm and South Paris auto dealer are two rural Maine businesses are receiving grants to install solar panels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that 13 businesses will receive funding from the Rural Energy for America Program. The program aims to aid businesses in achieving long-term sustainability by lowering energy […]
solar power
Posted inOp-Eds
Froma Harrop: The sun is rising on solar panels
On the average sunny day, Germany’s huge energy grid gets 40 percent of its power from the sun. Guess what happened one recent morning when the sun went into eclipse. Nothing. Or close to nothing. When the moon hid the sun for a few hours, the backup natural gas and coal plants switched on. The […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Sen. King highlights new solar power system
FALMOUTH — Sen. Angus King is praising a conservation organization’s new solar panel system that he says will help reduce energy costs and the state’s reliance on oil. The independent senator attended the unveiling of the new solar project at the Maine Audubon Society’s headquarters in Falmouth on Friday. His office says the 42 kilowatt […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bowdoin begins building Maine’s largest solar power project
BOWDOIN (AP) — Bowdoin College is beginning to build what is expected to become the state’s largest solar power project. The school said that the 1.2 megawatt, 4,500-panel solar project will be seven times bigger than Maine’s largest existing installation. Panels will be placed on several buildings, including the Farley Field House and the Greason […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bill designed to boost solar power in Maine goes into law without LePage signature
AUGUSTA — A bill that aims to boost solar power development in Maine has gone into law without Gov. Paul LePage’s signature. The bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. Eloise Vitelli directs the Public Utilities Commission to study the value of solar power generation in Maine. The measure also creates solar energy goals for the state, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. LePage vetoes bill to restore solar power rebates
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has vetoed a bill that would restore a rebate program for people that buy solar power systems. The bill vetoed by the Republican governor on Friday would provide $1 million for the program that would last more than two years. The bill was amended by Republican Rep. […]
Posted inLetters
J. Pare: Check out solar power alternative
People in power nationwide are fighting against solar power. Gov. Paul LePage stated that installing heat pumps would be more cost effective than solar. But solar power is becoming cheaper, more efficient and cleaner than other power sources. Aside from Hawaii or Alaska, the Northeast has the highest electrical costs in the country. Electricity costs […]