by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Preparations are underway for the construction of three local community solar projects in Machias, Machiasport, and Whitneyville. All three sites are under development by Loki Solar and will be constructed and owned by Minnesota-based Novel Energy, also doing business as Dublin LLC.

In Machias, clearing and land work have begun on a 20-acre parcel located near Route 1 just north of the Kennebec Road. Site work has also begun on the Machiasport solar farm, which is located not far from Downeast Correctional Facility, in Starboard.