The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing nearly $93 million in programs seeking to lower energy costs and create jobs in rural communities in the state, USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julia Lassa announced.
The bulk of the money, $91.5 million, is being invested through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy program, which provides low-interest loans with up to 60% loan forgiveness to fund clean energy projects and energy storage.
The investments include:
- $75.9 million for Stag Moose Solar LLC to finance 22 ground-mounted solar panel arrays to produce 62.75 megawatts of energy in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota — enough to power about 16,000 homes.
- $15.6 million for Dairyland Power Cooperative in La Crosse County to finance the installation of two megawatts of solar photovoltaic energy generation at two sites in western Wisconsin. The installations will generate enough electricity to power up to 1,000 homes.
The remaining $1.3 million is being invested in USDA Rural Development grants to 21 rural Wisconsin businesses through the REAP program. The program provides money to help farmers and rural small business owners boost energy efficiency and invest in wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy.
The REAP funding is part of the $104 million USDA has announced for 300 clean energy projects across 34 states.
Some of the projects include:
- $696,396 for Cedar Falls Solar LLC in Oneida County to install solar panels in Rhinelander. The project is expected to earn $140,000 per year and generate 1.7 million kilowatt-hours per year, enough to power 159 homes.
- $55,374 for Rotering Ridge Farms LLC in Trempealeau County to help install a new grain drying system in Arcadia. The project is expected to save $6,800 in electric costs each year and 83,500 kilowatt-hours, enough to power seven homes.
- $40,850 for Full Circle Community Farm in Outagamie County to install a wind turbine in Seymour. The project is projected to save the farm $8,000 in electrical costs per year and replace 40,000 kilowatt hours, enough energy to power three homes.
