IGS Solar Completes Largest Solar Array in the State of Maine for Madison Electric Works

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The largest solar array in the state of Maine is now fully operational at the Madison Business Gateway.

Madison Electric Works (MEW) is a municipality-owned utility in Madison, Maine that serves 2,500 residential, commercial and industrial customers located in Madison and three neighboring towns. MEW contracted with IGS Solar, a turn-key commercial and residential solar provider, in an effort to help the utility integrate solar energy while helping to better control long-term energy costs for their customers. IGS Solar financed, and will own and operate the system. MEW will purchase 100% of the power generated through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with IGS Solar, which will allow them to utilize on-site generated renewable electricity.

The system is built on 20+ acres of land, utilizes 16,074 330W panels, and is sized at 4.6MW (AC) which is large enough to power roughly 7,000 homes. The array meets approximately 20% of MEW's annual needs. Advanced Solar Products designed and managed the installation while sub-contracting with Cianbro. The project was originally developed by Clear Energy, which was then secured by IGS Solar through a public bid process.

According to Calvin Ames, general manager of MEW, the project has met all of their objectives. "It was a priority for us to enlist Maine-based companies where possible, which meant nearly all of the labor involved in the installation was performed by highly skilled individuals living right here in the Pine Tree State. Completion of this solar array allows MEW to continue to contain costs for our residential, commercial, and industrial customers, while also using renewable energy. It's a win-win," he said.

MEW will have the opportunity to purchase the system before the end of the 25-year PPA term, if desired.

According to Patrick Smith, vice president of IGS Solar, this is the first project the solar provider has completed in the state. "Opportunities for solar in Maine continue to grow. Working with MEW and the local team to help control area customers' energy costs using this renewable energy source has been a great success. We look forward to being a long-standing sustainability partner to MEW well into the future."

About IGS Solar
IGS Solar, a turn-key commercial and residential solar provider with significant solar assets under development, provides businesses, homes, and communities with an opportunity to participate in creating a sustainable energy future with no upfront investment. As an affiliate of IGS Energy, IGS Solar is dedicated to delivering innovative solar energy solutions. For more information, contact Hugh Scott, Regional Manager, at 603-828-9253 ([email protected]) or visit IGSsolarpower.com. Connect with IGS Solar at linkedin.com/company/igs-solar.

About Advanced Solar Products
For 25 years, Advanced Solar Products (ASP) has led the way in solar energy design and construction using sustainable technologies. As one of the largest solar integrators on the East Coast, they have installed over 60 megawatts of ground and roof-mounted PV systems ranging in size from under 10 kilowatts to over 14 megawatts. ASP has been contracted for some of the highest profile solar projects in the region including the installation of "the largest privately-owned, net-metered solar system in the Western Hemisphere," on the McGraw-Hill campus in East Windsor, NJ.

About Clear Energy
Founded in 2012, Clear Energy is a Maine based development holding company. Developed projects include Pittsfield Solar, in partnership with Cianbro Development Corporation, a 13 MW solar array under construction in Pittsfield, Maine. Clear was also the developer of the 5MW Madison Electric Works solar project that was awarded a 25 year PPA by the MEW Board of Directors in Q1 2016 and completed in 2017.

About Cianbro
Founded in 1949 by the Cianchette Brothers, Cianbro is now one of the United States' largest, most diverse, successful, open shop, 100% employee-owned (30^th largest in the United States) construction and construction services companies. Presently operating in more than 40 states, five markets, and employing over 4,000 team members, Cianbro manages and self-performs civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, fabrication, and coating. Ranked #103 on Engineering News-Record's (ENR) 2017 The Top 400 Contractors, Cianbro is best known for managing major construction projects along with self-perform capabilities and hands-on construction techniques.

SOURCE IGS Solar