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Wolverine Begins Construction of One of Michigan’s Largest Solar Arrays

Spartan Renewable Energy, a member-owner of Wolverine Power Cooperative (Wolverine), today announced that it will soon begin construction of a 1.2 megawatt solar array in Cadillac, Michigan. Wolverine will purchase 100 percent of the power output from the project. While this is Wolverine’s first foray into solar generation, Wolverine already has a substantial renewable portfolio...

D.C. Circuit Hears Challenge to Clean Power Plan

Ten D.C. Circuit judges heard argument regarding the EPA’s authority to enact the Clean Power Plan and the rule’s constitutionality.  All active judges on the D.C. Circuit, with the exception of Merrick Garland, heard arguments from state government, power industry groups, the federal government and environmental groups.

Coop Members are Going Wireless

Wireless technologies are providing coops with new opportunities to help members manage costs.

Dairyland Power Begins Construction of New Solar Project

Dairyland Power Cooperative (Dairyland Power) recently broke ground on what will become one of Wisconsin’s largest solar projects.  The project, which is located in Medford, Wisconsin, will generate approximately 2.5 MW of electricity—enough to power around 450 homes.  Once completed, it will include an array of 2,992 solar panels covering 11 acres of land.  The project is one of many...

Virginia Announces First Community Solar Project

BARC Electric has developed the first community solar project in Virginia.  The facility in Rockbridge, Virginia will benefit the member-owners who reside in the counties of Rockbridge, Bath, Highland, Augusta and Alleghany.

Coops Offer Net Metering Alternatives

Michigan’s Cherryland Electric Cooperative and its supplier, Wolverine Power Cooperative, have developed a plan that would allow customers to choose between three options for participating in solar generation—a community solar subscription, a “buy all, sell all” option, which would allow solar owners to sell all power they generate back to their provider and then buy all their...

Iowa Coop Doubles as Solar Installer

Western Iowa Power Cooperative (WIPCO) has embraced growing interest in customer-owned solar and has begun installing solar systems—for both its customers and other utilities. WIPCO installed its first system in 2014 and has installed 952 kilowatts to date.

Rural Electric Cooperative Empowered by Data Efficiency

Meade County Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation has leveraged leading utility management technology to cut costs and save time.

Cooperatives Financing Efficiency Upgrades through Opt-in Tariffs

Smaller, rural cooperatives have been experimenting with a model that gets around a customer’s inability or unwillingness to take on debt or invest in energy efficiency upgrades through offering a voluntary on-bill tariff.  Cooperatives have been able to lead this innovation because shareholder interests and customer interests are aligned.  Put simply, the customer chooses the upgrades...

Electric Coops Fuel Rural Broadband Growth

Electric cooperatives are helping to bring high-speed internet access to rural areas.  Today, about 40 electric coops offer or are in the process of building networks to provide high-speed internet service, compared with just one in 2010.

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