Construction will begin early summer 2024 and the project is expected to begin generating electricity in the fall.
Community Solar III is being developed in partnership with the City of Whitefish near the Whitefish Wastewater Treatment Plant, and will feature over 400 solar panels capable of cumulatively generating 200 kilowatts (kW) of carbon-free electricity. Construction will begin early summer 2024 and the project is expected to begin generating electricity in the fall.
| Community Solar Phase III | Fast Facts |
|---|---|
| Where is this located? | Near the Whitefish Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| What year did the project come online? | 2024 |
| How much did a panel cost at the time? | $700 |
| How many panels comprise the project? | 400+ |
| How many members own panels in this project? | 326 |
| How many watts is each panel? | 580 watts |
| How much energy does each panel generate on average per year? | 700 kWh |
| What is the average reduction on a panel owner’s electric bill each year? | Based on today’s rates, and depending on which rate tier the generation offsets, residential members typically see a reduction on their electric bill of $40 to $70 per year per panel. |
| How many kilowatts are the panels capable of cumulatively generating? | 200 kW |
| How was this funded? | Via a $495,000 grant from the Rural Energy Program for America (REAP) and a $50,000 grant from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). The balance was participant-funded. |
Community Solar III is sold out as of May 21, 2024!
Here are the details of how the program works.
- Any Co-op member may purchase the generation output from up to 5 panels*.
- The project will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Purchase price is $700 per 580-watt panel.
- A non-refundable down payment of $75 per panel is required to secure a portion of the project. The remaining balance will be due this fall when the project nears completion.
- When Community Solar III is completed and begins generating electricity, participating members will receive a credit on their monthly electric bill for the solar generation from their portion of the project.
- Based on today’s electric rates, and depending on which rate tier the generation offsets for the participant, residential Co-op members who purchase the output from one panel can expect a reduction on their electric bill of between $40 and $70 each year, resulting in an estimated payback period between 10 and 17.5 years.
Bummed to have missed out?
If you’re interested, we will put you on a waiting list for the future. If the co-op does another Community Solar project, we will reach out to you!
Put me on the waiting list!Community Solar III is made possible by grants from the Rural Energy Program for America (REAP) and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). The grant agreements require Flathead Electric Cooperative to maintain ownership of the solar panels and retain any associated tax credits. Members purchasing “panels” in Community Solar III are purchasing a panel’s generation, not the panel itself.
The energy generated from approximately 80 of the panels will offset the usage on bills of low-income families in the Co-op’s territory. This is possible thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and a $5,000 donation from YeTI Photovoltaic, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Whitefish, Montana.
More About Community Solar Phase III
Community Solar Project III Panels Available
Members purchasing “panels” in Community Solar III are purchasing a panel’s generation, not the panel itself. Each member may purchase the generation from up to five panels. On-bill financing is available for qualified members.
Flathead Electric Cooperative announces Community Solar Project III in Whitefish
Early summer start date anticipated, solar panel generation for sale soon.
