November 14, 2024
Syncarpha Capital, a New York-based developer, owner, and operator of solar and storage projects, announces that its Belfast Solar I community solar project has received Permission to Operate (PTO) as of October 16, 2024. The project is located adjacent to the Belfast Municipal Airport and two miles from the Belfast Fire Station, delivering clean energy directly to Central Maine Power (CMP) and benefiting CMP customers through the state’s Net Energy Billing (NEB) Program.
Spanning over 13 acres of a 52-acre site, Belfast Solar I consists of three fixed-tilt, ground-mounted arrays with a total capacity of 4.6 MW DC / 3.5 MW AC. It is estimated to generate 4.6 million kWh annually, offsetting over 3,600 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year. This project will help power hundreds of local homes and businesses, offering subscribers a guaranteed discount on the solar credits they receive, ultimately lowering their electricity bills.
With a focus on environmental sustainability, Belfast Solar I was developed to avoid wetlands and comply with Maine’s Stormwater Management Chapter 500. It marks Syncarpha’s 6th operating community solar project in Maine, increasing the company’s statewide capacity to 35.4 MW DC.
“The completion of this project is a significant milestone in expanding our community solar footprint in Maine and across the country. It exemplifies Syncarpha’s commitment to provide clean, affordable energy to communities by breaking down barriers to widespread solar adoption.” — Cliff Chapman, CEO, Syncarpha Capital
Step 1
A developer builds a solar garden and delivers solar energy directly to the local utility. Residents connected to that utility can “subscribe” to the solar garden, reserving a portion of that solar energy for their electricity needs.
Step 2
The utility sends electricity to the residents as usual. Community Solar subscribers will now receive “credits” on their monthly electric bills, reducing what they pay their utility provider for electricity.
Step 3
After paying the remaining balance to the utility, subscribers then pay for their solar credits at a guaranteed discount from their community solar provider, resulting in cost-savings.
If you’d like to better understand how Community Solar billing works and what the billing timeline looks like for subscribers, check out our support videos below:
Maine’s Net Energy Program is essential for promoting the growth of solar energy in the state, particularly through Community Solar project, by providing a stable and supportive framework that benefits developers, utilities, and residents.
Community Solar offers significant advantages, including cost savings, environmental benefits, and greater accessibility to renewable energy.
For more information on how to join this community solar project, get in touch with our support team through email at [email protected] or call us at (888) 55-SOLAR
Founded in 2009, Syncarpha Capital is a New York-based company dedicated to developing, acquiring, financing, owning and operating distributed generation- and utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems across North America. Partnering with experienced developers, installers, engineers, and EPC contractors, Syncarpha designs and builds on-site solar systems for municipalities, utilities, and businesses – as well as developing community solar solutions for consumers and commercial customers.
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