Integrity Core Values Commitment

Eliot Community Solar

New Hampshire Solar Garden (NHSG) is excited to be working with the Town of Eliot as one of our host communities for this beneficial Community Solar Garden that will support the State of Maine's Renewable Energy goal of 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2050!

This community outreach landing page is dedicated to ensure there is NO misinformation and/or details about Community Solar Gardens that is inconsistent with the industry.

Feel free to reach out to us by email with questions, developer@nhsolargarden.com

How our Country, State & Town is rallying around Solar

(click on the titles for more info)

National Clean Energy Action Month-Sept 2021

Maine Clean Energy Week-Sept 20th

Eliot Comprehensive Plan-68% support renewable energy

State Rep, Michele Meyer has voted 100% for Solar & Renewable Energy in 2020

What is the Conservation Plan for the property?

Only ~15% of the land will be used for solar
Over 50 acres could be placed into conservation
The area in & around the panels will be planted with pollinator friendly grasses & plants to enhance the habitat
Fences will be raised up for small animals to co-mingle in and around the Community Solar Garden
Pre-approved as being in the Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge "acquisition boundary". (Click here for more information)

What are the benefits to the Eliot Community?

The Town, School, businesses & homeowners can sign up to save 10% off their electric bills
Improved electrical infrastructure between the site and back to the Eliot substation for improved resilience
Increased tax revenue
Educational opportunities for the schools to incorporate a Community Solar Garden right in their town, into the curriculum

Reduce Eliot's dependency on fossil fuels and help fight Climate Change!!!

EPA Carbon Offset_Eliot_Odiorne Lane Solar_2 MWs.JPG

(click image to view)

Town of Milton lowered its $30,000 electric bill by $20,000

Climate Stats

7,747,608 miles NOT driven by passenger cars
356,885 gallons of gasoline NOT consumed
1049 tons of garbage NOT put into landfills
equal to 3,777 acres of mature trees sequestering carbon

What do NHSG Community Solar Gardens look like?

What will the telephone poles look like?

3 phase pole picture_Odiorne Lane Eliot example.jpeg

3 phase pole picture_Beech Road Eliot example.jpeg

Resources & additional industry information

Why can Eliot only support between 2-3 more Community Solar projects?
How does this project compare to the Maine Audubon's Sample Ordinance & solar sample siting guidance?
What happens to the solar panels once the project is at the end of its life?
Learn more by reviewing NHSG planning & zoning general FAQs
Does the State of Maine have a Solar Decommissioning plan?
Seacoast Online article about "Climate Inactivists"

(click here)

Abutter Communications & Timelines

(click on the dates for more info)

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April 16, 2021. Initial contact with Mrs. Meyer

April 21, 2021 until June 3, 2021. Initial discussions with Mr. Meyer

June 3, 2021. Site walk with 2 NHSG representatives & NHSG shared a draft site plan with Mr. Meyer. He shared background information about the property history including the fact that his wife was left out of her father's will and she wanted to buy the land and could not anymore

June 4, 2021 until July 21, 2021. Mr. Meyer's statement of support for project. NHSG's offer to share land for his farming & details on a solar project on his barn

Aug 3, 2021. Mr. Meyer's text regarding attending the planning board meeting & NHSG's offer to sit down with he & Mrs. Meyer

Aug 20, 2021. Mrs. Meyer called NHSG to discuss ways to find common ground on the construction access concerns & vernal pool on her land

Sept 14, 2021 until Sept 17, 2021. NHSG requests permission to have the vernal pool on the Meyer's property be reported to the State

Sept 20, 2021. Noticed site walk with Planning & Conservation Commission members & the Meyers

Sept 22, 2021. Mrs. Meyer contacted NHSG for information and pictures of the CMP telephone poles that would connect to the solar project

Oct 7, 2021 until Oct 9, 2021. Dr. Josh Crowell (abutter's son) contacted NHSG regarding questions & mis-information about the solar project

October 12, 2021 Public Hearing