USDA funds renewable energy projects in Northwest Montana

USDA Rural Development is making investments of more than $600,000 in clean energy projects across Montana, aimed at reducing operational costs and supporting energy efficiency for farms and rural small businesses.  

Nationwide, USDA is investing more than $256 million in loans and grants to support over 1,100 renewable energy projects in 40 states through the Rural Energy for America Program. In Montana, 15 recipients are receiving a combined $600,101 in cost-sharing to install solar arrays, energy-efficient heating systems, and other improvements that will help reduce energy consumption and lower costs.

The REAP program provides grants and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. 

Northwest Montana projects:  

CM Property Management LLC, Hot Springs: $31,000 to purchase and install a 20-kilowatt (kW) solar array, expected to save $4,909 annually and replace 25,818 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power two homes. 

Jordan Homestead LLC, Ronan: $39,812 to install a 20.16 kW solar array for an agricultural operation, projected to save $2,201 annually and replace 27,115 kWh of energy, equivalent to powering two homes. 

Lower Valley Processing Inc., Kalispell: $26,255 to upgrade refrigeration components at a meat processing facility, saving $3,066 annually and 94,200 kWh of energy, enough to power nine homes. 

K&T Cabinets LLC, Polson: $39,066 to install a 22.68 kW solar array with battery storage for a custom cabinet manufacturer, expected to save $2,776 annually and replace 24,783 kWh of energy, equivalent to powering two homes. 

Legacy Bike Park LLC, Lakeside: $34,705 to install a 10.08 kW solar array with battery storage for a bike park business, projected to save $2,352 annually and replace 8,088 kWh of energy. 

Kalispell Brewing Co., Kalispell, MT: $25,000 to install a 30 kW solar photovoltaic system, projected to save $3,500 annually and replace 40,950 kWh of energy, enough to power four homes