19 Jun Treworgy Orchards Now 100% Solar Powered

Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant, Maine is known for award-winning corn mazes, delicious ice cream, and apple picking traditions. Now, it will also be known for powering its business fully with solar energy. Sundog Solar recently installed 112 solar panels on three rooftops, including the iconic barn.

The Treworgy family business has a rich history that involves multiple generations. “As a farm, a guiding principle is sustainability,” says Jonathan Kenerson, CEO of Treworgy Orchards. “We want to leave this land to our kids better than we found it. Our vision of sustainability shapes how we farm, source energy, and our finances.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Treworgy Family Orchards,” says Chuck Piper, Co-owner of Sundog Solar. “Our goal since opening our doors 10 years ago has been to increase accessibility to this exceptional natural resource. The farm embodies the perfect relationship between the land and the sun.”

With plenty of sunshine and standing seam roofs, Treworgy Family Orchards is a good fit for solar energy. The solar panels will produce an estimated $7,000 worth of electricity and will power the farm’s barn, gift shop, workshop, and kitchen. The system qualifies for a 26% federal tax credit, and the family has applied for a USDA REAP grant.

The solar system is a wise investment for the Treworgy family, both financially and environmentally. “We were attracted to the idea because of the environmental benefits of generating our own solar energy, but when we understood the financial cost savings, it was clearly a win-win decision,” said Kenerson.

Every year, tens of thousands of visitors come to visit the farm to connect with each other and with the land. The family sees this as an excellent opportunity to educate the public about the benefits of solar energy. Visitors can access real-time and historical data on the solar system performance at www.treworgyorchards.com/solar

“People come to our farm and gain a better idea of where their food comes from. That connection to the land changes the way they make decisions about food. We hope this project will help do the same thing for energy.” says Kenerson. “We want to be pioneers and inspire others to consider solar energy for themselves.”