Julie Lassa, Wisconsin State Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, announced today that USDA will be investing $710,877 in renewable energy projects across the state. The projects will include the installation of energy-efficient grain dryers, solar arrays, and irrigation pumps. Out of the seven projects announced in Wisconsin, six of them will be funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants announced today in Wisconsin:
- Progress Auto LLC in New Lisbon will use a $243,735 grant to install a small solar electric array. The project is expected to save $21,009 per year and replace 313,565 kilowatt hours (kWh) (97 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 28 homes.
- Moneypenny Farms in Mineral Point will use a $125,000 grant to install a more energy efficient grain dryer. The project is expected to save $12,493 per year and save 269,546 kilowatt hours (kWh) (35 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 24 homes.
- David Hoffman in Glenwood City will use a $122,117 grant to install a more energy efficient grain dryer. The project is expected to save $4,372 per year and save 83,252 kilowatt hours (kWh) (23 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power seven homes.
- Manitowish Cranberry Company, Inc., in Manitowish Waters will use a $77,582 grant to install more energy-efficient electric irrigation pumps. This new system is expected to save the company $4,636 per year and save 120,892 kilowatt-hours (kWh) (72 percent of the business’s energy use) per year, which is enough to power 11 homes.
- Carlson Farm Partnership in New Richmond will use a $75,219 grant to install a 52.8-kilowatt (kW) ground mount solar array. The project is expected to save $7,397 per year and replace 73,970 kilowatt-hours (kWh) (82 percent of the company’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.
- Allan Hass’ farming operation in Westby will use a $35,289 grant to install a small solar electric array. The project is expected to save $5,751 per year and replace 50,006 kilowatt hours (kWh) (76 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power four homes.
- Bashaw Valley Enterprises, Inc. in Shell Lake will use a $31,935 grant to install a 29-kilowatt (kW) ground mount solar array. The project is expected to save $4,005 per year and replace 38,517 kilowatt-hours (kWh) (75 percent of the company’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.
