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by Kenzie Valenteen
The new site has 448 solar panels and a battery storage system, allowing the co-op to store energy and use it during times of high electricity demand. (Photo by: NBC Montana)
WHITEFISH, Mont. — Flathead Electric Cooperative is expanding its community solar program with a new project in Whitefish.
The new site has 448 solar panels and a battery storage system, allowing the co-op to store energy and use it during times of high electricity demand.
Local organizations help make this project possible through grants and investments as well as donations from 128 Flathead Electric members.
“These projects are member-driven. It’s member interest that causes us to investigate and explore where our solar array opportunities are,” said Stacey Schnebel, Flathead Electric Co-op board of trustees president.
This project is unique due to its utility-scale battery that can discharge during the co-op’s peak hours.
When fully charged, the battery can provide enough power for about 30 average-use homes during that peak period.
Flathead Electric says the project is the first of its community solar sites to pair solar generation with battery storage.
Flathead Electric Co-op Community Relations Manager Katie Pfennigs says the co-op was able to pair a battery with the project which allows the co-op to store the energy that is generated from the solar panels and to then later utilize that energy, put it back on the grid during highest peak hours.
Pfennigs says that method is a good resilience measure to help offset the peak demand times on the local grid, and help the co-op as a whole save on power costs which are higher during peak demand times.
About 80 of the panels are designated to help offset electricity use for low-income families in the co-op’s service territory.
Schnebel and Pfennigs say the project is a benefit and part of efforts to explore new ways to provide reliable and affordable power to its members.
Click here for more information on the project.
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