Ground-mount array with dual-use sheep grazing layout. USDA REAP grant + ITC + accelerated depreciation funded ~60% of project cost.
Family-run agricultural cooperative with high seasonal load — irrigation pumps in summer, refrigeration year-round, processing-facility electricity in fall harvest months. Seven acres of marginal pasture available. Member voted to pursue solar but only if total cooperative cash outlay stayed below $250K against a $1.5M project cost.
Ground-mount array on the seven-acre marginal pasture, designed with 6 ft panel ground-clearance to allow continued sheep grazing under the array. USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant application timed to the spring window. Federal ITC + accelerated depreciation captured by the cooperative's existing tax structure. Net cooperative outlay: $230K against a $1.45M install.
Net out-of-pocket: 16% of project cost. Sheep continue to graze under the array (mowing cost: $0). Power production exceeds modeled output by 4% (cooler microclimate from grazing-managed grass). Cooperative pursuing a second 500 kW phase on a separate parcel.
We doubled the use of seven acres — same sheep, plus a power plant. The economics work because Reliant ran the REAP application like they'd done it before. They had.
Testimonial pending client release
Tell us about your building, your utility bills, and your goals. We'll model the project and come back with a fixed-price EPC proposal.
Four notes a year. Real-world project takeaways, incentive deadlines, and tariff shifts that move the needle on commercial solar economics. No fluff.
By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Reliant Solar uses your information only to respond to your inquiry — we never sell or share contact details.
Unsubscribe any time · No spam, ever
