Boston, Mass. (November 10, 2021) – BlueWave, a leading Northeast-based solar and energy storage developer, today co-hosed a ribbon-cutting event along with Navisun, a solar power producer that owns and operates distributed and small utility-scale solar projects, to celebrate a recently completed solar project in Rockport, ME. The solar project, owned by Navisun and developed by BlueWave, combines solar and agriculture by positioning solar panels above the existing wild blueberry farm field.

“The completion of this project marks an exciting moment for BlueWave,” said Alan Robertson, Managing Director at BlueWave. “Developing projects that not only produce clean energy, but also do right by the land is central to our mission and this first-of-its-kind project in Maine has the potential to provide further education around agrivoltaic practices in addition to providing long-term vitality for the farm.”

The solar arrays will generate approximately 4.2 MW of renewable power, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 3,775 metric tons, the equivalent of taking 821 cars off the road. The project also allows the landowner and farmer to diversify their income and explore the potential to improve the land’s yield by providing more favorable growing conditions.

David Dickey, landowner of the wild blueberry farm, is passionate about the unique ability agrivoltaics provides, “I am excited to be working with BlueWave and partners on a novel approach to agriculture. Adding solar over the existing wild blueberries is a great opportunity to try something new to help the planet move towards a cleaner energy grid, all while helping to provide additional income that keeps my local business growing.”

The project includes an agricultural research plot that will study how wild blueberry cultivation performs within a solar array. The work, in partnership with wild blueberry farmers, specialist networks and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, will study best practices in agrivoltaic construction and operation in effort to propel the state’s industry forward. The research plot occupies five of the 10-acre project space and the remaining space hosts a traditional community solar plot, managed and operated by Navisun. The solar farm will generate renewable energy that will contribute to Maine’s clean energy goals. The solar credits generated will be applied to Maine businesses.

"With investments in renewable energy, particularly solar, happening across Maine, this unique project is a prime example of how public-private research partnerships are helping advance our clean energy sector," said Dan Burgess, Director of the Governor's Energy Office. "By complementing existing agricultural practices, especially Maine's iconic wild blueberry industry, this project shows how renewable energy can help support the state's heritage industries, expand clean energy generation, and create new economic opportunities across Maine."

“The rising costs of fossil fuels continues to hurt our environment, our climate and our people, and is why generating more clean energy is crucial to protect our state for future generations,” said Hannah Pingree, Director of the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation the Future and co-chair of the Maine Climate Council. “This project will contribute not only important renewable energy to help reduce Maine’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, but will serve as model for how clean energy can co-exist with Maine’s natural and working lands to benefit our communities and fight climate change.”

About BlueWave

BlueWave is on a mission to revolutionize energy with simple, powerful solar solutions. As a pioneering solar developer, BlueWave has developed and sold more than 155 MW of solar projects to date. As built, these projects collectively generate enough solar energy to avoid roughly 119,490 metric tons of carbon emissions annually. A certified B Corp, BlueWave has received national recognition for its work to protect the planet, including being named the Clean Energy Company of the Year in 2018 by the Northeast Clean Energy Council, one of the top 100 Impact Companies in the United States for each of the last two years as rated by Real Leaders Magazine, and a leading growth company by Inc. Magazine and the Boston Business Journal.

About Navisun

Navisun LLC is a solar independent power producer within the United States that co-develops, acquires, owns, and operates distributed and small utility-scale solar projects. The Navisun team has completed numerous projects for municipal, commercial, industrial, utility, and institutional partners throughout the United States, with typical project sizes ranging from 1 to 30 megawatts. For more information, visit www.navisunllc.com.