The Town of Thomaston, Maine, had plans to install solar panels on the 60-foot-long south-facing control building of the Thomaston Pollution Control Facility, but was not able to complete the project due to cost restraints. Using $77,000 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds and $6,104 of additional town funds, Thomaston installed 78 solar panels. As of August 2013, after 26 months of use, the panels have generated 13% of the electricity used to power the wastewater treatment facility 24 hours a day—equivalent to the amount needed to power four single-family homes. On days when excess power is generated, it is fed back into the Central Maine Power grid, and the town receives a credit.
The Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Office (WIPO) provides funding and technical assistance to its partners in state and local governments, Indian tribes, and international agencies to facilitate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.
Positive Impact
Thomaston, Maine, installed 78 solar panels, which generate 13% of the electricity used by the wastewater treatment facility— the equivalent of the amount needed to power four single-family homes.
Location
Thomaston, Maine
Partners
Efficiency Maine
EERE Investment
$77,000 of EECBG funds