The POWER of Solar

Missoula Electric Cooperative's (MEC's) community solar program, "Solarshare," provides members the opportunity to acquire renewable solar energy from cooperative-owned solar arrays. Community solar programs, like Solarshare, are a smart and simple way to enjoy the benefits of solar power without the installation or maintenance costs of a home installation.

The Solarshare program reflects MEC's commitment to developing locally-sourced renewable energy programs. Today, MEC's portfolio is approximately 95 percent carbon-free energy. Members who purchase the output of just two Solarshare panels can typically offset about five percent of their residential energy usage, earning them the bragging rights to a 100 percent carbon-free household.

In late 2015, MEC partnered with Bonneville Environmental Foundation on a 176-panel solar installation, Solarshare I, that is located at a substation south of Lolo. A second solar project, Solarshare II, followed in August of 2016, which was the installation of a 184-panel array on the rooftop of Frenchtown Elementary School. In combination, these two solar arrays have generated 286,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. That's enough energy to power nearly 24 homes in western Montana, year-round.

Due to the rising popularity and demand for alternative energy, MEC knew it was only a matter of time until a third Solarshare project was developed. In early 2018, Tim O'Leary, an investor in Solarshare II and Co-Owner of Kettlehouse Brewing Company, expressed his desire to play a larger role in renewable energy. His desire led to a third Solarshare array which would sit atop the south-facing roof of Kettlehouse's third brewery, affectionately known as "K3." K3 is located on the banks of the Blackfoot River in Bonner, about five miles east of Missoula, and will open its taproom to the public before the 2018 holiday season.

The third program, MEC Solarshare K3 Garden, is a 189-panel array that delivers energy using a 54.8-kilowatt system. The site on which K3 is located was once a community garden and O'Leary wanted to utilize the space in conjunction with the site's heritage - hence the name, "K3 Garden." Although the first two solar projects were independently successful, the K3 Solarshare Garden has the added advantage of coupling the benefits of renewable energy with FREE beer!

For $650, MEC Members can purchase the output of a K3 panel and will automatically be eligible for the "Renew-A-Mug Club" which will entitle the owner to a complimentary mug and one free beer per day at the K3 Taproom for up to 25 years. Not only will these members enjoy ice cold Kettlehouse favorites like Cold Smoke and Double Haul IPA, but K3 Solarshare members will also be able to reap the energy savings from the array for 25 years.

For more information on the program or if you are an MEC member who wishes to purchase the output of a K3 solar panel, please call the MEC office at 406-541-4433 or visit http://www.missoulaelectric.com/solarshare.