Two Sugarcreek agricultural businesses receive solar array grants – AOL

COLUMBUS – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio program has announced $1.2 million in grant fund to six agricultural producers and rural businesses through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Two are in Sugarcreek.

The program is focused on investment in renewable energy systems or making energy efficiency improvements. During the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, USDA awarded more than $22.9 million in REAP grants to 168 Ohio rural small businesses so they could purchase and install renewable energy or energy efficient systems.

Matthew Miller of Sugarcreek received a $58,000 grant to purchase and install a 41-kilowatt solar array to provide electricity for his poultry growing operation. The project is expected to generate more than 48,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, or 120 percent of his business’ total annual energy consumption.

Weaver Group of Sugarcreek received a $663,000 grant to purchase and install a 619-kilowatt roof mounted solar array at the barn and furniture building business. The project is expected to save the business nearly $90,000 in annual energy costs and generate 642,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, or 100 percent of its annual energy consumption.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Sugarcreek businesses get solar array grants