Solar

Is solar right for you?

Solar panels are good for the environment, but what’s their effect economically?  That’s the question Northern Plains Electric Cooperative was searching for when they installed a 16-panel solar system at our Carrington office in 2015 as a research project. With the help of funding partners USDA Rural Development, the North Dakota Department of Commerce and Northern Plains' sister coopertaive Dakota Valley, the co-ops installed a 6.56 kW system. 

Choosing a system

Before you install any solar or wind generation system, you are required to apply for an interconnection agreement with Northern Plains Electric and get prior approval from the co-op for the equipment you are planning to purchase and install.  Check out all the policies applicable to this or give us a call before you purchase anything.

         *Distributed Generation Policy
         *Engineering Data Submittal for the Interconnection of Generation System
         *Application

After doing our own research, Northern Plains Electric chose a 6.56-kilowatt solar system to install at their Carrington office headquarters. Click on the Solar link below to see this systems kwh output in real time along with a history of its performance. 

* Review the project's progress in real time.

Press related to the Solar Research Project:

• June 23, 2015 -- Solar power research project launched in Carrington (link is external), Prairie Public Broadcasting

• June 22, 2015 -- Northern Plains and Dakota Valley's Solar Project Ribbon-cutting (link is external), NewsDakota.com