Flathead Electric Cooperative members may now harness the sun’s rays through a new renewable energy program.

The co-op will install 365 solar panels at 1840 Whitefish Stage Road, creating a community Solar Utility Network (SUN).

Cooperative members may acquire ownership of one of the panels for a one-time payment of $900, which will provide them with monthly power credits over the warrantied life of the solar panels, which is 25 years.

The community solar panel project is the first of its kind in Montana, according to project leader and co-op Energy Services Supervisor Ross Holter.

The concept of community solar panel projects is one that is growing in popularity across the country because it can be done on a larger and cheaper scale.

Advantages of the Solar Utility Network is that renters can participate along with residents who don’t have a good location to install solar panels on their property, but want to “go green.”

The $900 solar panels are comparable to the cost of ones sold on the market and less expensive when considering setup and installation.

“The beauty of this program is if you are going to put solar panels on your own house you have to purchase a number of panels, an inverter, get it wired, get the mounting and racking system — all this stuff would probably cost you a minimum of several thousand dollars,” Holter said.

Energy produced from the solar panels will go directly into the grid. A meter will track the amount of energy produced. Customers who buy into SUN will receive a monthly credit on their electricity bills, according to how much energy a household uses.

“Everyone will be credited fairly,” Holter said.

The question many people may have is whether or not the solar panels pay for themselves within 25 years?

“In some cases quicker,” Holter said, depending on how much electricity a household uses.

Each solar panel is expected to produce approximately 359 kilowatts a year.

“Our average households use about 1,100 kilowatts a month,” Holter said. “The panel is going to be a small amount of the average user’s bill.”

People choose renewable energy for reasons other than money, he added.

“I will say this, most people don’t do it really for the payback. The people who do it are doing it because they want to show support for renewable clean energy,” Holter said.

And what about all the overcast days familiar in the Flathead Valley? Is solar energy a good direction?

“Believe it or not we actually have quite a bit of sun in the Flathead Valley,” Holter said. “We’re in a similar sun environment as say, Germany, which is one of the leaders in the world of deploying solar power.”

Program participants who move within the Flathead Electric service area may transfer their Solar Utility Network credit to their new residence. However, there is a drawback if a participant moves outside the service area.

“If you move to LA [for example] you can give your credits to someone else in our area. It has to be credited to a Flathead Electric account,” Holter said.

It’s possible that someone could sell their solar panel ownership to another person, but that would be a private transaction and Flathead Electric would not be involved.

“We’ll make the switch, but you have to tell us where,” Holter said.

The Solar Utility Network is just one example of the co-op’s inclination for innovation, having previously invested in biomass and hydroelectric energy in addition to a landfill gas-to-energy plant.

“We’re kind of on the cutting edge on a lot of renewable energy practices,” Holter said.

Flathead Electric Public Relations Officer Wendy Ostrom Price added, “We feel these technologies are on the rise and it would behoove us to understand all the intricacies.”

Plans haven’t been outlined if all the panels do not immediately sell, but Holter isn’t too concerned, based on interest. A customer may only purchase one solar panel to begin with and more later, if they are available.

At the end of the program’s duration, system ownership reverts back to Flathead Electric and the board will have to decide the future of the program.

“The system will still be there working. Where the energy goes, the co-op will have to decide,” Holter said.

To sign up for the program or for more information visit www.flatheadelectric.com or call 751-4483.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.