Members who missed out on the first 88 panels in Ravalli Electric Co-op’s first-ever community solar project can now take advantage of a second phase. Initially having planned for a 25kw system with room to grow, it was unclear whether the program would have enough demand to expand beyond that.
“We were really unsure of how it was going to go at first,” said Alyssa Barnes, REC Communications Specialist. “We started taking reservations in October and there were definitely a few slow periods, but by the end of the year we had more buyers than the handful of panels we had left.”
That additional interest led to the Ravalli Electric Co-op Board of Directors’ decision to move forward with an additional solar array.
Phase two will be identical to phase one of Valley Solar, doubling the original 25kw system, and resulting in a 50kw system with total of 176 solar panels – the same size Missoula Electric Co-op installed next to their Lolo substation.
“We’re very encouraged by the level of interest our members have taken in the program,” said Mark Grotbo, Ravalli Electric General Manager. “We are constantly exploring new ways to provide power to the valley and it’s nice when we can directly involve our membership in the process.”
Program participants can expect panels to begin generating power by the end of April when construction is expected to complete. The credit for the panel output they have purchased will be reflected annually on their Ravalli Electric Co-op bills. A grand opening celebration will be planned following the completion of the install.
Ravalli Electric Co-op members who are interested in participating in Valley Solar may call 961-3001 or visit ravallielectric.com for more information.
Ravalli Electric Co-op is a not for profit cooperative that serves the rural areas of the Bitterroot Valley from Sula to Florence. The Co-op was started in 1936 as part of the national movement that would become the Rural Electrification Administration and was the first one in the state of Montana. Today, the Co-op offices located at 1051 Eastside Highway in Corvallis serve about 8,000 members.