By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES— It seems that the Naples code enforcement officer has been busy inviting solar developers to the local selectmen’s meeting.

The people involved in a couple different solar energy projects stopped into the Naples Board of Selectmen meeting recently to say hello and to outline their concepts.

Both groups started their presentation by saying that Naples CEO Renee Carter had told them to go to a selectmen’s meeting.

It is important to note that the state of Maine will limit the number of solar-energy projects that can move into Naples.

Chairman Jim Grattelo asked: “Why is everyone coming to Naples?”

The answer came from Matt Kearns, with Longroad Energy based in Portland.

“It is happening across the State of Maine. We {Longroad Energy} are in 20 towns in Maine. What developers are chasing is access to the market. You can only fit a couple of projects on this circuit,” Kearns said.

There are a lot of solar developers expressing interest but only a few  plans will pan out, he said.

“There are some natural limitations in the electric system. That will limit the Gold Rush effect. Only a couple projects will be allowed,” he said.

Longroad Energy paired up with Boyle Associates to put together a plan for solar energy panels on land owned by Hancock Lumber. The land that is being considered for solar development is about 40 acres of 200 acres of tree-growth land. 

“We are working with Hancock Lumber. This is their parcel, a half mile off Route 302 completely surrounded with timber. The site was selected to keep it away from Route 302,” Kearns said.

“There will be no impact on tourist activity,” he said.

“What is unique is that Hancock is the buyer of the electricity, the energy. A 20-year contract will lower their annual energy spending,” Kearns said.

Another developer Brett Pingree, with Soltage, LLC, tried to sell the selectmen on the benefits to the town.

“There is tax revenue but no tax burden,” Pingree said.

Soltage has plans for fixed ground mount panels on the land adjacent to Marston’s Redemption. The 18-acre parcel is behind the office of real estate agent Anne Plummer-Legere. The acreage is made up of forest that has grown since trees were cut about 10 years ago. There is a 1,000 foot setback from Route 302.

But, it was the view from the lake that concerned one board member who reminded developers that this is a tourist town.

Chairman Grattelo asked if the solar panels could be seen from Brandy Pond

Soltage representative John Rand said it was low impact compared to other sites.

“I don’t want to see this from Brandy Pond or Route 302, particularly Brandy Pond. This is a tourist community,” Grattelo said.

He added that the group will go before the planning board next, and there are other steps in the process.

“Because it is zoned residential. You would have to come before residents at Town Meeting,” Grattelo said.

Naples Planning Board member Larry Anton commented.

“Remember the solar overlay was designed to take worthless pieces of property that are mined out and that useless piece of property and give it a use,” Anton said.

Plummer-Legere later said the solar energy plan was a good use of that parcel of land. If it were developed into a subdivision or a business, that would be taxing on Brandy Pond.