Radar Solar is a proposed 60MW solar farm located in Moscow and Caratunk, Maine, at the former United States Air Force Over-the-Horizon Backscatter Radar Base. The Cianbro-Patriot Renewables team is currently seeking permission from the towns of Moscow and Caratunk to develop this renewable energy project. This project would generate new tax revenue to the host towns and provide a renewable energy source to the region as early as 2028.
Historic American Engineering Record, C. & U.S. Air Force. Moscow Radar Site Transmit Sector One Antenna Array, Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/me0365
*Based on 2024 valuation data.
This project will be located entirely within in the existing footprint of the former radar base. This will limit habitat fragmentation and impacts to natural resources.
The developed area will be restored with vegetation that is both pollinator-and-grazing friendly. For more information on agrisolar practices, see links below.
Solar Grazing
Wildlife Friendly Solar
At 60 MW of new clean energy generation, the project will displace 114,000 MWh of fossil fuel produced electricity. This will result in a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from the current New England grid system by approximately 57,000 tons/year.
The solar farm will be nearly hidden from public view and will not impede traditional uses, such as timber harvesting, snowmobiling, ATV riding, and general access to the region.
The proposed project is located on the former Over-the-Horizon Backscatter Radar Base in the towns of Moscow and Caratunk, Maine. The radar base was originally constructed by General Electric Aerospace in the 1980s and went into operation in 1990. The facility was used by the United States Air Force as an early-warning detection hub for incoming aircraft and missile threats. Click here for more information.
Yes. Moscow enacted an ordinance in November 2023 that prohibits the development of new solar projects greater than 40kW. However, planning for Radar Solar began prior to the ordinance. The Cianbro-Patriot team is respectfully requesting Moscow consider an exception to the ordinance for this project. The former radar site is an ideal location for a solar project and both towns can benefit.
The proposed project is entirely within an industrial site that was previously cleared and permitted for the former radar base. The terrain is flat with excellent sun exposure. The site is accessible by existing gravel roads and is adjacent to the electrical grid, minimizing the need for earthwork and new transmission infrastructure. Because the project location is remote, the solar array will be nearly hidden from public view.
Yes. As currently designed, the project would generate a net tax revenue of approximately $150,000 per year for Moscow. If pursued, a TIF program could generate an additional $50,000-$100,000 per year.Click here to learn more.
Yes. As currently designed, the project would generate a net tax revenue of approximately $180,000 per year for Caratunk. If pursued, a TIF program could generate an additional $30,000-$40,000 per year.Click here to learn more.
A Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) program is a mechanism developed and administered by the State of Maine Department of Economic and Community Development used to promote economic development throughout the state. At the core of the program is the ability for a town to shield the increased valuation created by the new investment (in this case a solar farm) from the state valuation. Click here to learn more.
Tax revenues will be determined by the assessed value of the equipment located in each town. As currently designed, the equipment is divided nearly equally between Moscow and Caratunk.
No and no. Town officials reported that the increased tax burden to local property owners was primarily the result of a reassessment of Wyman Hydro initiated by the owners of that facility. The new assessment concluded that the hydro station was overvalued by the town and therefore overtaxed. Property owners are now paying for the shortfall caused by this adjustment. The wind farm will provide new tax revenue to Moscow when operational in 2025. A new solar project would provide additional tax revenue to both Caratunk and Moscow upon completion.
Yes. Wyman Hydro has provided dependable power generation for decades and has contributed to the growth of the Maine economy. However, Maine needs new generation sources to keep pace with anticipated load and to replace and/or supplement other aging assets in the region.
This project will reduce the carbon footprint of electrical power generation in New England, converting sunlight directly into electricity. This will eliminate an additional 1.9 million tons of CO2 within the New England grid over a 35-year operation. Click here to learn more.
No. State and Federal environmental regulations prohibit the release of chemicals from solar arrays into the environment. Solar panels are designed to remain self-contained while in service.
Modern solar farms have a life expectancy of 25 to 35 years. Owners may choose to repower and extend the solar farms beyond the initial service life.
No. Fires at solar farms are extremely rare. However, the project will include a fire safety plan that will be coordinated closely with local fire departments.
The solar farm owner is responsible for cleaning up the site at the end of operation. Project permitting requires a decommissioning plan with financial assurance, such as a bond, to cover the cost of restoring the site.
During construction, the developer will be responsible for maintaining the local roads used by trucks and other construction equipment. At project completion, impacted roads will be restored to as-good or better than the preconstruction condition. The developer will provide a bond to Moscow and Caratunk to ensure the roads are fully restored.
No.
No. The project will not impact existing ITS or marked connector trails.
Yes. The area immediately encompassing the solar panels will be fenced, as required by the National Electrical Code. The project will utilize wildlife-friendly fencing.
Design and construction, including all related Central Maine Power upgrades and interconnection, will be paid for entirely by the developer.
Snow cover can reduce the efficiency of solar generation. However, design features such as panel height and tilt angle can be adjusted to minimize snow cover. In addition, this project will utilize bifacial (double-sided) panels to increase generation by absorbing sunlight reflected up from the snow. Solar energy has shown to be cost-effective, and is prevalent, as far north as Canada.
No. This solar farm will not be part of Maine’s NEB solar program. Its energy sales will compete against all forms of energy on the open wholesale market
