For Immediate Release

Contact:  Keenan Bishop, Extension Agent, Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service

502-695-9035     Email: Keenan.bishop@uky.edu

Figure 1.

Figure 1: An example of a residential solar PV installation by Daily Green Power, the contractor selected to install the new solar plus battery system for the Franklin County Extension Office.

Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office Investing in Resilience and Sustainability with Planned  Solar and Battery System

July 2, 2024

Frankfort, Kentucky -      The Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service will be installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery back-up system to supply nearly 100% of the office’s net annual electricity needs. The 45 kilowatt (AC) project will use 164 solar PV panels and four Tesla Powerwall batteries and is expected to save the Extension office over $10,000 annually in electricity costs. The agency expects to receive a $66,000 “Direct Pay” rebate from the Federal government for the $165,000 project, enabling the project to break even in less than 10 years.

“We’re excited to offer a demonstration of these important renewable energy technologies for our community,” said Extension Agent Keenan Bishop, “while also being good stewards of taxpayer resources. With a 25 year warranty on the solar equipment, the long-term financial savings this project will provide makes it a good investment for the office and community.”

The Extension Office selected Daily Green Power of Elizabethtown to install the solar and battery system, following a competitive bidding process in which multiple proposals were reviewed. Daily Green Power is one of two contractors selected by Solarize Frankfort, a community group-purchasing program that the Extension Office is supporting as a community partner.

The 164-panel solar array is expected to supply 98% of the Extension office’s net annual electricity needs, using a net metering agreement with Kentucky Utilities. The battery back-up system will supply critical loads during grid outages, enabling the Extension office to continue operations and offer community services during potential community emergencies.

“Being able to maintain basic functions during an extended power outage could make this a vital resource for our community,” said Board Member Rebecca Quarles. “We’ll be able to keep the lights on, maintain communications, keep refrigerators and freezers operating, and be a place the community can come if an emergency shelter is needed.”

The Extension office expects construction to begin before the end of July and to be completed by mid-August. To learn more about Solarize Frankfort, visit www.kyses.org/solarize.