PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 15, 2021
Any building not in tree shade should have solar panels on the [flat] rooftops because that real estate is already developed with great potential to site PV panels, while fallow farmland and woodlands are very important to organically absorb and store CO2 exponentially via tree growth. In a satellite review of Topsham Fairground Mall Road, it appears that only the Target store makes efficient energy use of its building’s real estate with solar panels. On the other hand, a proposed Foreside Road project seems to remove trees with plans to replant foliage disrupted by construction. Perhaps a comprehensive greening of Maine policy could use existing property tax laws to tax owners of flat roof buildings and parking lots for potential value if they don’t have solar panels on their buildings and parking lots? ~ Jack Boak, Bremen