Four Alaska projects received grant funding through the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America program.
All the projects selected in Alaska will fund solar systems. The grant program only provides up to 25 percent of the total cost. The smallest project is a restaurant in Seward and is expected to produce enough energy for one home with grant funding of about $20,000.
The largest project, with a grant of about $350,000, will help fund the Houston, Alaska solar system. The 8.5-megawatt solar field will generate electricity to be sold to the Matanuska Electric Association. The field will produce enough electricity to power more than 1,400 homes. Construction began in August and is expected to be completed in summer 2023.
Peninsula Solar, LLC, in Kenai and Bear Creek Winery in Homer also received funding under the program.
The Rural Energy for America program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.
The program also supports agricultural producers who need new equipment and system loans for agricultural production and processing. Additional funding for the program was just announced and applications for new projects will be accepted until March 31, 2023.
