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USDA Rural Development Invests $5.8 Million In 37 Clean Energy Projects In Pennsylvania

On January 22 & 24, U.S. Department of Agriculture State Director for Rural Development Bob Morgan announced USDA is investing more than $5.8 million in renewable energy projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competition for Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural producers.

Many of the projects are being funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

“The Biden Administration and USDA are ensuring farmers and small businesses are not only a part of the clean energy economy, but directly benefiting from it,” Morgan said. “We have seen a great impact from this Administration’s focus on clean energy projects here in Pennsylvania. We expect this effort to continue in 2024.”

The announcement is the first of 2024 and includes 37 projects in 14 counties throughout Pennsylvania totaling $5,869,940--

-- Lesa Feuillett Haas in Bedford County was awarded $21,697 to purchase and install a 19.36 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for her certified financial planning business located in Everett, Pennsylvania. This project is expected to save the business approximately $1,200 per year and will generate 20,795 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power one home.

-- Mast Roofing & Construction Inc. in Berks County was awarded $76,000 to purchase and install a 94.09 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Mast Roofing & Construction Inc. in Oley, Pennsylvania has been offering residential and commercial exterior building services to customers since 2005. This project is expected to save the business approximately $7,600 per year and will replace 73,736 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.

-- In His Service Professional Catering in Bradford County was awarded $23,932 to purchase and install a 24.3-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. In His Service Professional Catering has been providing catering services since 2013. The company is based in Gillett, Pennsylvania. This project is expected to save the business approximately $3,000 per year and will replace 26,686 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.

-- DeCristo Inc. in Canton was awarded $55,880 to purchase and install a 54.32 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. DeCristo Inc. has been providing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services throughout and surrounding Bradford County since 1996. This project is expected to save the business approximately $2,400 per year and will generate 62,322 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power five homes.

-- The Flying Taco Mexican Grill in Towanda was awarded $33,792 to purchase and install a 25.6 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. The Flying Taco Mexican Grill has been serving authentic Mexican food since 2020 in Bradford County. This project is expected to save the restaurant approximately $5,100 per year and will replace 25,657 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.

-- Peace Tree LLC in Kintnersville, Bucks County was awarded $165,933 to purchase and install a 162.68 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Since 1983, Peace Tree LLC has been growing starter plants for other growers across North America, growing USDA Certified Organic herbs for a major regional grocery chain and finishing plants for regional garden centers and contracts for botanical gardens nationally. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $13,500 per year and will replace 182,565 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 16 homes.

-- Nantmeal Warwick Sewer Company Inc. located in Elverson, Chester County was awarded $77,120 to purchase and install an 83.42 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Nantmeal Warwick Sewer Company Inc. has been providing sewage treatment services since 1992. This project is expected to save the company approximately $9,200 per year and will replace 67,875 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.

-- Andrew Martin was awarded $44,320 to purchase and install a 50.73 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for his poultry farming operation located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $8,400 per year and will replace 61,419 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power five homes.

-- Dogwood Acres Campground Inc. was awarded $116,020 to purchase and install a 106.4 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for its campground in Newville, Cumberland County. Incorporated in 2001, Dogwood Acres Campground Inc. is a small family-owned camping area with 100 sites. This project is expected to save the campground approximately $17,900 per year and will replace 165,276 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 15 homes.

-- Vartan Group Inc., a property management company located in Harrisburg, Dauphin County was awarded $98,000 to purchase and install more energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in 19 units within the building. This project is expected to save the company approximately $15,600 per year and will replace 85,926 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power seven homes.

-- CM Fuels Inc. located in Spring Run, Franklin County was awarded $28,000 to purchase and install a 19.8 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. CM Fuels Inc. has been distributing fuel oil, on-road and off-road diesel, and kerosene throughout and surrounding Franklin County since 2005. This project is expected to save the business approximately $3,000 per year and will replace 23,778 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.

-- Glenwood Foods at Greencastle LLC was awarded $250,000 to purchase and install a 291 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Opened in 2009, Glenwood Foods at Greencastle LLC is a grocery store located in Franklin County. This project is expected to save the business approximately $22,100 per year and will replace 279,857 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 25 homes.

-- Upward Broadband located in McConnellsburg, Fulton County was awarded $347,600 to purchase and install a 250 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Upward Broadband is family-owned company providing high-speed internet services since 2021. This project is expected to save the company approximately $18,000 per year and will replace 239,902 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 22 homes.

-- The Huntingdon Country Club Inc. in Huntingdon County, a golf course located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, was awarded $24,563 to purchase and install a 23.2-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Incorporated in 2019, The Huntingdon Country Club was voted "best golf course in the Huntingdon area". This project is expected to save the business approximately $3,100 per year and will replace 27,371 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.

-- GAP Bros. Holdings LLC in Lancaster County was awarded $491,000 to purchase and install a 481.12 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system on one of its office buildings. Gap Bros. Holdings LLC, a real estate property company, has been operating in Lancaster County since 2010. This project is expected to generate 477,533 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 44 homes.

-- Joel Frey located in Manheim, Lancaster County was awarded $35,130 to purchase and install a 42 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for his family-owned farming operation. Joel Frey has been farming for eight years. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $5,000 per year and will replace 31,991 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.

-- Michael L. Cassel located in Manheim, Lancaster County was awarded $96,030 to purchase and install a 117.2 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for his poultry farming operation. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $10,500 per year and will generate 137,287 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 12 homes.

-- Sunstream Energy LLC located in Paradise, Lancaster County was awarded $158,080 to purchase a 186.45 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system to be installed on the roof of the Fairhaven Christian School building. Fairhaven Christian School has entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with Sunstream Energy LLC to purchase the electricity produced by the solar system at a fair market value. Fairhaven Christian School will lease the roof space to Sunstream Energy LLC and will also give Sunstream Energy LLC site control of the roof for the life of the solar system. This project is expected to generate approximately 115,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 10 homes.

-- Flintrock Corporation located in Lititz, Lancaster County, was awarded $250,000 to purchase and install a 204.6 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Flintrock Corporation has owned a poultry, crop, and horse farming operation for more than 25 years. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $24,700 per year and will replace 214,100 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 19 homes.

-- Cleason C. Sensenig located in Kirkwood, Lancaster County was awarded $186,400 to purchase and install a 183.815 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for his chicken-egg farming operation. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $21,800 per year and will replace 205,980 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 19 homes.

-- Beco Equipment LLC located in Leola, Lancaster County was awarded $47,840 to purchase and install a 39.825 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Beco Equipment has been providing equipment and power-washing services since 1982. This project is expected to save the business approximately $5,900 per year and will replace 42,546 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power four homes.

-- Star Rock Services, a family-owned dairy farming operation located in Conestoga, Lancaster County was awarded $500,000 to purchase and install a 1,330 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Since 2009, Star Rock Services has been providing milk, high quality livestock, and grain crops throughout Lancaster and York Counties. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $123,200 per year and will generate 1,751,017 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 161 homes.

-- Bryan A. Zeiset located in Ephrata, Lancaster County was awarded $152,762 to purchase and install a 186.45 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for his dairy farming operation located in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $14,400 per year and will generate 139,974 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 12 homes.

-- Earl R. Martin Inc. located in New Holland, Lancaster County was awarded $235,600 to purchase and install a 268.8 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for his automotive repair business. Earl R. Martin Inc. has been operating since 1965. This project is expected to save the business approximately $23,500 per year and will replace 217,800 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 20 homes.

-- Andrews Eye Corporation located in New Holland, Lancaster County was awarded $66,880 to purchase and install a 24.3-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Andrews Eye Corporation has been providing optometric services throughout Lancaster County since 2017. This project is expected to save the business approximately $5,000 per year and will replace 34,635 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.

-- CH Campground LLC located in New Holland, Lancaster County was awarded $225,939 to purchase and install a 313.04 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. CH Campground LLC is a family-owned campground operating since 2018. This project is expected to save the campground approximately $57,000 per year and will replace 419,369 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 38 homes.

-- FMH Solar Solutions LLC was awarded $84,840 to purchase an 82.935-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system to be installed on the roof of the Faith Mennonite High School building located in Kinzers, Lancaster County. Faith Mennonite High School has entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with FMH Solar Solutions LLC to purchase the electricity produced by the solar system at fair market value. Faith Mennonite High School will lease the roof space to FMH Solar Solutions LLC and will also give FMH Solar Solutions LLC site control of the roof for the life of the solar system. This project is expected to generate approximately 92,483 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power eight homes.

-- Twisted Bine Beer Co. LLC located in Mount Joy, Lancaster County was awarded $79,560 to purchase and install a 71.55 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Twisted Bine Beer Co. LLC is a brewery that has been serving its customers since 2016. This project is expected to save the business approximately $8,900 per year and will replace 68,794 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.

-- Heidel Hollow Farm Inc. located in Germansville, Lehigh County was awarded $56,520 to purchase and install a 52.865 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system at Heidel Hollow Farm Inc., a grain and hay farming operation. The project is expected to save the farm approximately $15,500 per year and will replace 64,797 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power five homes.

-- Drue Chapin and Sons LLC located in Nescopeck, Luzerne County was awarded $62,000 to purchase and install a 50 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Operating since 1996, Drue Chapin and Sons LLC is a 1,600-acre grain and vegetable farming operation. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $8,900 per year and will generate 61,268 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power five homes.

-- Spring Mountain Adventures Inc. was awarded $672,290 to purchase and install a 445-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system at Spring Mountain Adventures Inc., a year-round skiing, snowboarding, and ice-skating resort operating for the past 23 years in Spring Mount, Montgomery County. This project is expected to save the business approximately $117,000 per year and will replace 564,984 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 52 homes.

-- J.L. Moyer & Sons Inc. located in Turbotville, Northumberland County was awarded $766,500 to purchase and install a 1,248 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for J.L. Moyer & Sons Inc.'s soybean farm. The project is expected to save the farm approximately $262,000 per year and will replace 2,814,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 259 homes.

-- Spiral Path Farm LLC in Perry County was awarded $145,890 to purchase ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems for its two organic produce farming locations. A 108-kilowatt (kW) system will be installed on Shermans Valley Road, Loysville, Pennsylvania, and a 54-kilowatt (kW) system will be installed at Thomas Lane. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $26,700 per year and will replace 145,661 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 13 homes.

-- Robert Klim located in Kingsley, Susquehanna County was awarded $71,235 to purchase and install a 60.97 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for his dairy cattle farming operation. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $7,000 per year and will replace 71,358 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.

-- Peter D. Comly was awarded $26,642 to purchase and install a 33.95-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for Clodhopper Farm, his family-owned livestock farming operation located in Springville, Susquehanna County. Since 1996, Clodhopper Farm has been providing high quality meats to its customers. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $6,600 per year and will generate 41,714 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.

-- Richard Noll was awarded $60,625 to purchase and install a 50.925 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system for his corn and soybean farming operation in Mifflinburg, Union County. Mr. Noll has been farming for the past 60 years. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $8,500 per year and will replace 50,359 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power four homes.

-- Keyfarm Enterprises LLC was awarded $35,320 to purchase and install a 37.4-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Keyfarm Enterprises LLC is a cattle farming operation located in Mifflinburg, Union County. This project is expected to save the farm approximately $4,600 per year and will replace 31,238 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes.

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements.

These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

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