Portland Press Herald: Cape Elizabeth moves forward with solar project on capped landfill

The town of Cape Elizabeth is moving ahead with a solar project on its capped landfill that will generate $2.1 million in electricity savings and income over the next 20 years, said Town Manager Matt Sturgis.

The Town Council has authorized Sturgis to sign a lease option and energy credit agreements with Encore Renewable Energy of Burlington, Vermont, one of seven firms that submitted competitive bids for the project.

The 7-acre solar farm is being reviewed by the Planning Board and is on track to be installed next summer on the former landfill near the town’s recycling center, Sturgis said.

Cape Elizabeth is one of a fast-growing number of Maine municipalities that have developed similar solar farms, including Portland, South Portland, Belfast, Tremont, Waldoboro and Waterville.