Citrine Solar has received an extension through Feb. 12 to submit project approvals to the Town of Lewiston for its planned solar project.
The granted extension applies to site plans, special use permits, and building permits. Citrine representatives had previously appeared before the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals requesting the extension, which was approved.
Harry Zomerfeld, an environmental attorney for the Hodgson Russ law firm speaking at Monday’s work session, said after speaking with the developers, he learned that they have not gotten started yet because of changes taking place across the solar industry, including on how federal solar tax credits work for developers.
“As of right now, they are working toward meeting the February 2027 deadline,” Zomerfeld said, though he did not guarantee they would not ask for another extension. Town Building Inspector Tim Masters also said they have not submitted any permit applications.
Connecticut-based Citrine Solar received town board approval to build the 2.5-megawatt array in February of 2025 on the closed landfill at 4746 Model City Road, next to Modern Disposal’s Lewiston office. That site is owned by the Washuta family trust and zoned for industrial use.
The solar panels would take up eight to 10 acres of the 29.5-acre site, with the array being a community solar project and the power generated going to National Grid. The amount of power it would generate would decrease by half a percent every year, producing 80% of its capacity after 20 years.
Aside from this Lewiston array, Citrine has developed 19 total solar farms located in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and California, capable of generating a combined 33.64 MW of power.