Local Theater Brings Clean Energy to Its Community with Ampion Community Solar

ELLSWORTH, MAINE, February 1, 2023 – The Grand is putting sustainability first by signing up for Community Solar with Ampion Renewable Energy. The historic, 85-year-old theater will support the generation of clean energy from a solar farm in Howland, Maine. The Grand will save up to 15% on its annual electricity costs with Community Solar. The theater is partnering with Ampion to extend the benefits of Community Solar to its community. Versant utility customers who enroll in Community Solar at ampion.net/thegrand will receive a $100 gift card to The Grand and Ampion will make a $100 donation to The Grand on their behalf.

“Sustainability is one of The Grand’s values, so we’re thrilled to be able to support clean energy in Maine and make our theater more sustainable.” said Nick Turner, Executive Director at The Grand. “Installing solar panels was not an option for us, so we’re glad we found out about Community Solar. We encourage all members of our community to take advantage of this offer and support your Grand.”*

Community Solar is a state-sponsored program enabling Versant and Central Maine Power customers to support clean energy without purchasing or installing solar panels. Through Community Solar, these utility customers subscribe to a share of clean energy generated from an offsite solar farm. Ideally, that energy completely offsets the energy generation charges on their utility bills each month. Furthermore, the program provides customers with discounted energy and annual savings on electric costs. In Maine, the subscriber receives a discount of up to 15% on their monthly electric costs.

Ampion is helping residential and commercial utility customers subscribe to clean energy from the 105 W Solar Farm in Howland, Maine, which will accommodate approximately 8,200 kWh of The Grand’s electrical load. 8,200 kWh of clean energy production is equivalent to 3,925 pounds of coal not burned or planting 4.2 acres of U.S. forest.*

“Ampion is thrilled to connect Ellsworth-area residents and businesses to clean energy and savings,” said Katie Rooney, Community Partnerships Executive at Ampion. “Through Ampion, The Grand will save on their annual electricity costs and enable access to large amounts of clean energy produced right here in Maine.”

*These equivalencies are derived from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

See this press release in The Ellsworth American.

About The Grand: The Grand is an iconic Art Deco theater in Ellsworth, Maine that fosters social interaction and growth in artists and audiences through the arts, entertainment, and education. Built in 1938, The Grand aims to be the anchor cultural organization for Downeast and Eastern Maine by presenting exciting and diverse visual and performing arts and education programs of the highest quality. Learn more at grandonline.org.

About Ampion: Founded in Bar Harbor, ME in 2014, Ampion offers the easiest way to join the clean energy movement while saving money through Community Solar. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Ampion believes in giving people the power to make homes, businesses and communities more sustainable and prosperous. By connecting residents and businesses to local solar farms, Ampion boosts sustainability in communities and supports local economies. Learn more at ampion.net.