PROVIDENCE – Four farms are scheduled to receive a combined $78,765 in Rhode Island Farm Energy Program grants to “green” their operations, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management announced Monday.
The grants are to be administered by the DEM in partnership with the R.I. Office of Energy Resources and the Rhode Island Resource Conservation & Development Area Council.
Long-Term Energy Partnership Powers Success at Quonset Business Park
Quonset Business Park, located in North Kingstown, has long been a major driver of Rhode…
Learn More
The program supports solar energy projects and energy efficiency projects at local farms.
Funded projects were:
- Legends Creek Farm, Foster – $20,000: Installation of a 19.75-kilowatt, roof-mounted solar array that will offset 98% of the energy needs of the farm operation, which includes goats, a line of goat milk products, honey and a variety of high-tunnel crops
- Verde’s Vineyard, Johnston – $20,000: Installation of a 10.56kilowatt/40-kilowatt hour hybrid system of backup batteries retrofitted to the existing solar/geothermal renewable energy system that will keep the solar system and critical winery operations running during power outages
- Martinelli’s Farm & Charcuterie LLC, North Scituate – $18,765: Installation of a 10.0-kilowatt, roof-mounted solar array that will help offset all the farm’s retail operation energy use, including freezer and refrigeration units, water heaters and retail store electricity
- Ferolbink Farm, Tiverton – $20,000: Installation of a 41.25-kilowatt, roof-mounted solar array that will offset all the energy needs for the main barn and storage area at this potato and squash crop farm
“These grants will help our local farms reduce their carbon footprint as well as save money on their electric bills, which they can use to reinvest in their businesses,” said R.I. Energy Commissioner Carol Grant in a press release. “Each of these farm solar projects will contribute toward the governor’s goal to reach 1,000 megawatts of clean energy by the end of 2020. Congratulations to all the recipients.”
