US renewables developer Longroad Energy is developing a $190m (€166m) 109MW photovoltaic project in Maine and expects to start construction in 2021.
The Three Corners solar project situated in the Benton, Clinton and Unity Townships in Kennebec County will begin commercial operation in 2022.
The developer is in discussions with various power buyers and most recently submitted a bid to sell the output of the project through a long-term contract with Central Maine Power.
Longroad Energy has also entered into a partnership with Unity College, through which the Three Corners solar farm will provide $100,000 to fund faculty and student research at Unity for the first 10 years of the plant’s operation.
The college’s Unity property is located approximately five miles from the project site.
The $10,000 per year fund will support research opportunities to faculty and students in environmental science, natural resources and other related programmes.
Longroad chief executive Paul Gaynor said: “We are really pleased to be partnering with Unity College,” said Paul Gaynor, CEO of Longroad Energy.
“This is a great opportunity for us to provide, through the Three Corners solar project we’re developing, meaningful support to Unity’s educational program and its mission of sustainability.
“We are delighted that Three Corners Solar will power opportunities for Unity students; one of the many ways this project delivers significant local benefits.”
Most of the project will be located on property owned by the Bessey family, which manages it for commercial timber production and will continue to do so on the majority of the site.
ED Bessey Lumber Products president Ethan Bessey said: “Our family has sustainably managed timberland in central Maine for more than five generations.
“Our philosophy has always been to operate with future generations in mind, and bringing clean, renewable energy to our communities with this solar farm is in keeping with that philosophy.
“We are impressed with the team at Longroad and their commitment to making sure that this project has wide-reaching and direct benefits to our community.”