Dive Brief:
- Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric intends to construct a 250-panel community solar array on the property of the co-op’s headquarters in Owatonna, Minn., and will sell panels on the project for $170.
- To participate in the project, customers also need to be participating in Steele-Waseca's water heater demand response program, allowing the utility to control the heater during the day.
Dive Insight:
Dubbed the "Sunna Project," Steele-Waseca's combined solar-water heater program gives members inexpensive access to a 410-watt solar panel, as long as they are a part of the utility's water heater program.
"By building a larger solar array than seen at most homes, participants in community solar are able benefit from economies of scale," according to the utility's web site. You have to participate in SWCE's 16 Hour Water Heater Control Program to get the deal, but the utility will give members a free 85 gallon or 105 gallon electric Marathon water heater along with a mixing valve in return for joining.
"The cooperative has used electric water heaters for years as a way to store lower cost energy that was produced during the off peak hours for use during times when wholesale energy prices were higher," it explains.
Cooperative members who want to subscribe for a solar panel, but not participate in the Sunna Project, can pay $1,225 for their panel and also earn the subscribed energy production allocation. Members are limited to subscribing to 20 panels or the equivalent number of panels that would produce their average annual energy usage, whichever is less.
