Co-op members enrolled in Community Solar Phase I by purchasing one or more of the 356 panels located on Whitefish Stage Road.

During Phase I of Community Solar, Flathead Electric Co-op built a solar panel “garden” in a sunny location on Whitefish Stage Road, visible to the public, on property owned by Flathead Electric. Co-op members enrolled in the project by purchasing one or more of the 356 panels.
Community Solar Phase I | Fast Facts |
---|---|
Where is this located? | Whitefish Stage Rd. |
What year did the project come online? | 2015 |
How much did a panel cost at the time? | $900, but members could use a 30% income tax credit. |
How many panels comprise the project? | 356 |
How many members own panels in this project? | 267 |
How many watts is each panel? | 285 watts |
How much energy does each panel generate on average per year? | 340 kWh |
What is the average reduction on a panel owner’s electric bill each year? | Based on today’s rates, and depending on which rate tier the generation offsets, residential members typically see a reduction on their electric bill of $18 to $35 per year per panel. |
How many kilowatts are the panels capable of cumulatively generating? | 86 kW |
How was this funded? | Via a $42,749 grant from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. The balance was participant-funded. |