Community Solar Program

Our community solar farm went live in December, 2017, and became available to the public in May of 2019. Our power supplier, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, began their community solar program in 2016 with 11 distribution cooperatives including NWEC.

The NWEC community solar member program is available on a voluntary basis to metered residential members who enter into a program agreement with the cooperative.

The farm itself is a 125 kW capacity solar facility located on 1.25 acres behind our main headquarters in Woodward. The farm consists of 513 panels ground-mounted with a fixed tilt, and each panel is around six feet tall by three feet wide, weighing 55 pounds. A panel is 315 watts of power at 45 volts direct current (DC) at peak sunlight.

Members may purchase shares of the solar facility that entitle them to the output of the facility equal to 0.2667% per share of the total production of the solar facility on a monthly basis. The member’s account will be credited based on the share credit as described below. Total shares available for purchase from the solar facility are limited to 375 shares.

The member shall be entitled to an initial credit equal to $28 per share per year.

The purchase price per share for a 20-year program is $300. A 10-year program cost is $150 per share and a 15-year program cost is $225 per share.

Example: A member purchases one panel (share) under the 10-year program for an initial cost of $150. After receiving an annual credit of $28 (total program credit of $280 over 10 years), the member saves $130 in energy costs.

Shares may be purchased in quantities ranging from 1 to 25. The energy produced by the member’s purchased shares is not intended to exceed the total annual usage of the participating account.

Each share shall be active after the enrollment period set forth by NWEC for a term ending September 2041 or until terminated pursuant to the terms of the license agreement.

Community solar farms offer a simple, affordable way for members to participate in renewable energy without the maintenance costs and concerns of owning their own solar array. However, if a member is interested in having solar installed on their property, we strongly encourage our members to call us first to help evaluate the feasibility of the project before a commitment is made.

Enrollment for our community solar program is open and can be done by visiting our website at www.nwecok.coop, or calling Melissa Washmon at 580-256-7425.