Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Community Solar Phase III is made up of 448 solar panels located on Monegan Rd on City of Whitefish property, near the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Watch a 90-second video about Community Solar Phase III:
| Community Solar Phase III | Fast Facts |
|---|---|
| Where is this located? | Near the Whitefish Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| What year did the project come online? | 2026 |
| How much did a panel cost at the time? | $700 |
| How many panels comprise the project? | 448 |
| How many members purchased the output from these panels? | 128 |
| How many watts is each panel? | 590 watts |
| How much energy does each panel generate on average per year? | about 700 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 will typically see a reduction on their electric bill of $36-$60 per year per panel. |
| How many kilowatts are the panels capable of cumulatively generating? | 200 kW |
| How was this funded? | Via a $495,000 grant from the Rural Energy Program for America (REAP) and a $50,000 grant from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). The balance was participant-funded. |
Community Solar III is made possible by grants from the Rural Energy Program for America (REAP) and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). The grant agreements require Flathead Electric Cooperative to maintain ownership of the solar panels and retain any associated tax credits. Members purchasing “panels” in Community Solar III are purchasing a panel’s generation, not the panel itself.
The energy generated from approximately 80 of the panels will offset the usage on bills of low-income families in the Co-op’s territory. This is possible thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and a $5,000 donation from YeTI Photovoltaic, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Whitefish, Montana.
More About Community Solar Phase III
Community Solar Phase III – Updates
Community Solar Project III Panels Available
Members purchasing “panels” in Community Solar III are purchasing a panel’s generation, not the panel itself. Each member may purchase the generation from up to five panels. On-bill financing is available for qualified members.
Flathead Electric Cooperative announces Community Solar Project III in Whitefish
Early summer start date anticipated, solar panel generation for sale soon.
