News

January 19, 2011

The Whidbey Examiner - Toni Grove

Greenbank, WA - The community solar project at the Greenbank Farm is not only an opportunity to demonstrate solar power in action, it also could become a unique tourist draw.

That was the pitch made by Island Community Solar President John Hastings at a recent Port of Coupeville meeting.

By installing a series of elevated photovoltaic arrays in a section of pasture west of the event field, the Farm will retain use of the land beneath the arrays to pasture sheep. The Port will also receive much-needed income from rent of the field and a percentage of the production incentives earned from the state. The income potential could reach about $3000 a year if all six solar arrays are installed.

The farm also will have the option of purchasing the arrays at a discount in 2020, when the production incentives expire.

Hastings said the project is consistent with the farm’s mission and comprehensive plan – to preserve and enhance its aesthetic character, economic value and community use – and will provide education to the public about solar power through a kiosk installed over the electrical switching system.

“That kiosk needs to tell the story of how this helps the Farm stay a farm,” said Don Meehan, former director of the WSU Island County Extension, who also attended the port meeting.

The project also provides an opportunity for individuals to invest in local green energy through the purchase of memberships in Island Community Solar, LLC.

“It will be a feel-good investment,” Hastings said.

Under state rules, a community solar project is limited to a maximum of 75 kilowatts, and there are enough lots sectioned off at the farm to accommodate twice that amount of production capacity.

Hastings said he hopes other local groups will use the extra lots to start their own community solar projects. He said he would be glad to offer information and insights from all he and his partners have learned while getting the project off the ground.

“Ideally, there would be six different groups and six different business models,” he said. “Our intention is to pioneer this and make our knowledge available to other groups.”

Although the solar arrays will not be visible to people driving by the farm on Hwy. 52, Hastings said he believes having them in full view of farm visitors will encourage interest in solar energy.

“I think this will put the Farm on the map,” Hastings said.

Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson, who also was at the meeting, said she is enthusiastic about the educational value of the project.

“We wanted it to be visible to the public,” she said. “I think that having it at the farm will make it more accessible to school kids.”