In Maine, there is a large solar array that recently took shape on a hillside just off Route 17. It might seem no different than any other solar project, but underneath the elevated panels are wild blueberry fields that have been farmed for generations. And these fields will continue to be farmed next summer when the blueberries are once again in season.
The Rockport array is Maine’s first commercial-scale dual-use, or agrivoltaic, solar project. This means the project incorporates agricultural and solar energy production on the same site.
Construction of the 4-megawatt array was completed in August and is slated to begin producing power during the first week of December, according to Stephen Campbell, managing director of Navisun, a Massachusetts-based company that owns and operates the project. The array will provide power to local customers through a net-energy billing agreement.
Source: bangordailynews.com
Photo source: Dreamstime.com
