NorthWestern Energy, city of Bozeman, MSU launch Bozeman Solar Project
Officials from NorthWestern Energy (NWE), the city of Bozeman and Montana State University (MSU) launched the 2.3-acre solar photovoltaic Bozeman Solar Project (BSP) on Friday.
The project is designed to provide reliable energy to the NWE power grid.
The pilot project was contracted by Energy of Bozeman, and is expected to output approximately 533,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year – enough to power approximately 54 homes. The BSP will connect to NWE’s power grid, and involve the installation of 40 residential and 20 commercial advanced meters. The meters will allow the project partners to better understand how solar power will align with customer needs.
“Our responsibilities are to provide Montana’s critical energy infrastructure; to deliver our customers reliable energy service from a diversified portfolio; and to work with our customers to develop solutions to meet their particular needs,” NWE CEO Bob Rowe said. “Our partnership with Bozeman and Montana State University helps advance all of these goals. It’s been particularly exciting to help design and build a project that meets our partners’ goals and may provide a model for how we can work with other communities.”
The BSP also contributes to the Climate Action Plan set by the city of Bozeman, and sets a precedent for future renewable energy projects.
NWE has committed approximately $1 million to the solar project, which is estimated to cover the cost of constructing and operating the project. The city of Bozeman is set to provide use of the land, but has not agreed to any additional financial responsibility.
Montana State University (MSU) will assist during research associated with the five-year pilot project.
