WELLS, Maine – Beginning next week, Kennebunk Savings is embarking on a solar project adjacent to their Wells location on Sanford Road.
The Bank is working with ReVision Energy to install a 288-panel ground mounted solar array in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. The solar array will be located behind its Wells branch where a vacant office building now sits. The array will occupy a space roughly the size of a football field and will generate nearly 160,000 kilowatt hours, enough energy to power four of the Bank’s branches.
The project begins Monday, May 9th with permanent closure of Brook Lane, the right of way maintained by the bank that runs from Stephen Eaton Lane, through the Bank’s parking lot to Sanford Road (route 109). Demolition of the 30-year-old building on the property will then begin to make way for the array.
Photo: Aerial view of the planned location of a solar array adjacent to Kennebunk Savings’ branch on Sanford Rd. in Wells. The blue rows mark the areas where the ground-mounted solar panels will sit.
“We’re incredibly excited to see this project come to fruition,” said Dennis Byrd, Kennebunk Savings’ Chief Operating Officer. “We want to make best use of land while being responsible corporate citizens and neighbors. This solar array will have an annual CO2 offset of 168,806 lbs. That’s equivalent to 8,613 gallons of gasoline not burned or 16 cars removed from the road. Seeing the potential environmental impact, we’re now evaluating other opportunities to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.”
The solar project is all part of Kennebunk Savings’ broader environmental goals. For the past year, the bank has been participating in the University of New Hampshire’s Carbon Clinic which pairs students with area businesses and nonprofits to perform a comprehensive carbon footprint analysis and provide guidance on how to achieve carbon neutrality.
Kennebunk Savings is passionate about the environment, and it is one of five key focus areas of its corporate giving program. The bank is a long-time supporter of many land trusts and regularly funds land conservation, preserving these natural spaces for generations to enjoy.
Last year, it launched its tree initiative. It gave away nearly 1,875 white pine saplings to customers and planted close to 200 trees in Kennebunk and Sanford and plans to do another planting this fall.
