Vermont is a state known for its rolling green hills dotted with dairy cows. The dairy industry generates more than $2.2 billion annually for Vermont, but with increasingly thin profit margins, local farmers are looking for ways to compete without losing use of their land. They’re moving to greener financial pastures with a community solar plan.
Credit: Solaris Energy
Two recently completed off-site community solar projects built and developed by Norwich Solar and financed by partners, Solaris energy And Greenday Finance, will now provide more than 2,100 kWh of sustainable energy annually for six locally run dairy farms. The projects are both 500 kWAC (864 kWDC) ground-mounted solar sites built on less productive land in Newbury and Jamaica. Each array is expected to reduce fixed energy costs to increase profit margins, allowing these farms to deliver long-term economic benefit to the region.
The Jamaica site is a former gravel pit and borders a neighborhood of trailer homes. Several residents have come to the site to ask questions and express their general enthusiasm about the project, Solaris Energy said in a news release. The Newbury site is a previously logged hill area.
“It’s wonderful to see locals coming together to care for a community resource – especially one that helps their fellow neighbors and the local economy. It really is a bull’s-eye for what solar energy means at the community level,” said Nick Francis, director of project development for Solaris Energy.
A community of partners helped make the projects a reality. Norwich Solar, a certified B Corp, led the early development and construction of the sites.
“We are fortunate to be working with committed property owners to place these solar projects on underutilized land, unlocking additional value for them,” said Kevin Davis, VP of sales and marketing for Norwich Solar. “The Jamaica project in particular was a former gravel extraction site that presented a number of design and installation challenges, but the final project is quite attractive to see.”
Fellow B Corp, Solaris Energy, provided late-stage development and capital during final completion of the projects. Investor partner Greenday Finance has taken over the long-term ownership and will continue to work with Solaris Energy and Norwich Solar for asset management, operations and maintenance services at both locations.
News item from Solaris Energy