Poland Spring Installs Behind-the-Meter Solar Project to Power Manufacturing Facility

Northern Sun and Powerflex install 13 MW in challenging location for leading water bottle company

Orlando, FL — Feb. 25, 2026 – Northern Sun Energy, a leading solar and energy storage Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firm, has officially energized a new behind-the-meter solar installation for Poland Spring’s national bottling and manufacturing facility near Portland, Maine. This site, where bottles are produced and filled, now benefits from an on-site clean energy source for one of the region’s most recognizable household brands – an achievement highlighted in EPC Powerflex’s video spotlight on the project.

Located on 50 acres of company-owned land, the project is owned by Onyx Renewables, with Northern Sun as the general contractor for the EPC, Powerflex. The site presented several challenges; Northern Sun’s dedication to team safety, due diligence, and innovative thinking made their installation a success. 

For instance, as a behind-the-meter direct building tie, the solar feeder needed to traverse two active asphalt roadways that support constant 24/7 plant traffic – requiring extra precautions to ensure team safety during installation. One of the most complex challenges was the interconnection with the facility’s existing electrical gear; the Northern Sun team was tasked with intercepting two parallel feeders from a local substation, both housed in a concrete duct bank. 

Using hydro-vac excavation, the team carefully exposed the duct bank in preparation for controlled demolition and reconnection work. Months of detailed planning paid off when the scheduled shutdown and tie-in were executed smoothly, with over 23,000 Canadian Solar modules supported by OMCO fixed-tilt racking, C-channel foundations, and SMA Sunny Highpower PEAK3 inverters.

“Bringing this project to life required collaboration, innovation, and resilience,” says Scott Pfaff, Northern Sun VP of Construction Operations and Managing Partner. “As final commissioning wraps up, we’re excited to bring another sustainable, grid-supportive energy project online. This behind-the-meter system will help reduce strain on the local grid while supporting Poland Spring’s long-term commitment to responsible operations.” 

Established in 1845, Poland Spring bottled water is the most-sold beverage in the northeastern U.S. This development builds on Poland Spring’s reduction of CO2 emissions by 1500 tons since 2004. It also aligns with Poland Spring’s sustainability commitments as a member of the Maine Governor’s Carbon Challenge for greenhouse gas reductions and the state DEP’s “Step-Up” program, which encourages businesses to focus on long-term environmental sustainability practices.

About Northern Sun Energy

Northern Sun Energy provides turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction services for utility-scale solar and battery storage projects. With over 2 GW of collective industry experience, the firm’s proven track record of success ensures seamless execution from inception to completion. Northern Sun Energy’s deep electrical experience and communicative, customer-centric approach make it a trusted partner for developers, independent power producers, and utilities in the solar and energy storage industries. For more information, visit northernsun.energy.