COLUMBIA, S.C. — The US Department of Agriculture continues its investment in rural communities with $124 million going towards clean energy and fertilizer production projects in 44 states, including South Carolina.
Money coming into the state includes loans and grants from the Rural Energy for America program (REAP) go to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs.
South Carolina REAP funds total $13,841,368. The recipients are:
- Stamey Solar LLC: $2,350,000 loan plus $1,000,000 grant for installation of a 2.807 MWdc solar array. Stamey Solar LLC is a newly created entity for the purposes of generating electricity in Darlington County, SC. The system is estimated to produce 4,966,600 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 459 homes.
- Birch Solar LLC: $2,350,000 loan plus $1,000,000 grant to purchase and install a 2.76 MWdc solar array. Birch Solar LLC is a newly created entity for the purposes of generating electricity in Darlington County, SC. The system is estimated to produce 4,989,000 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 461 homes.
- Thomas Solar LLC: $2,315,000 loan plus $1,000,000 grant to purchase and install a 2.781 MWdc solar array. Thomas Solar LLC is a newly created entity for the purposes of generating electricity in Lee County, SC. The system is estimated to produce 5,001,000 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 462 homes.
- Entertainment Advertising LLC: $40,864 grant to purchase and install a 22.8 kilowatt (kW) DC roof mount solar photovoltaic array. Entertainment Advertising LLC operates printing and photography businesses. This project will generate 32,582 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power three homes.
- J&L Woodard Family Farms LLC: $229,662 grant to purchase and install a 188 kilowatt (kW) DC roof mount solar photovoltaic array. J&L Woodard Firmly Farms LLC is the owner of this poultry operation. This project will generate 281,623 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 26 homes.
- Roman Hendrix Farms LLC: $92,880 grant to purchase and installation of a 86.4-kW(DC) ground-mount solar PV array. Roman Hendrix Farms LLC is a family-owned poultry operation. This project will generate 134,432 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 13 homes.
- A Thomas Gales Jr.: $92,950 grant to purchase and install a 84.5-kW(DC) ground-mount solar PV array. Thomas Gales, Jr. is the owner of this poultry operation. This project will generate 133,812 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 13 homes.
- Sportsman Boats Manufacturing Inc.: $665,662 grant to purchase and install a 579 kilowatt (kW) DC roof-mount photovoltaic solar array with 240 kilowatt hours (kWh) battery storage. Sportsman Boats Manufacturing Inc., founded in 2011, is boat manufacturer. This project will realize $90,062 per year in savings and will replace 756,380 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 70 homes.
- Jesse Unruh: $174,150 grant to purchase and install a 162 kilowatt (kW) DC ground mount solar photovoltaic array. Jesse Unruh is the owner of this poultry operation. This project will generate 255,184 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 24 homes.
- Courtney Unruh: $174,150 grant to purchase and install a 162 kilowatt (kW) DC ground mount solar photovoltaic array. Courtney Unruh is the owner of this poultry operation. This project will generate 255,184 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 24 homes.
- Dennis Unruh: $163,650 grant to purchase and install a 148.7 kilowatt (kW) DC ground mount solar photovoltaic array. Dennis Unruh is the owner of this poultry operation. This project will generate 231,189 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 22 homes.
- Rauch Farms LLC: $192,500 to purchase and install a 84.1-kW ground-mount solar PV array with 110.6 kwh battery storage. Rauch Farms LLC is a family owned livestock operation. This project will generate 122,191 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 12 homes.
- Newberry Operator LLC: $495,077 grant to purchase and install a heating and cooling variable refrigerant flow system. Newberry Operator LLC is a skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation center. This project will save 465,368 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 43 homes.
- Swamp Fox Self Storage LLC: $29,540 grant to purchase and install a 15 kilowatt (kW) DC roof mount solar photovoltaic array. Swamp Fox Self Storage LLC is a local self-storage facility. This project will generate 19,891 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power two homes.
- City Roots LLC: $499,719 grant to purchase and install a geothermal radiant floor system for heating/cooling the 30,000 square foot greenhouse and replacement of grow lights. City Roots LLC is a family owned greenhouse. This project will save 739,479 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 69 homes.
- Palmetto Gourmet Foods Inc.: $795,564 grant to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations. Palmetto Gourmet Foods Inc is a local manufacturer and distributor of Ramen Noodles. Project funds will be used for the purchase and installation of a 792-kW(DC) ground-mount solar PV array. This project will generate 1,264,105 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 117 homes.
Funds from the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program to North and South Carolina went to UPL NA Incorporated -- a $3,999,999 grant to acquire a seaweed extraction facility in Kingstree, South Carolina, which produces and distributes seaweed bio-stimulant fertilizer. Grant funds will offset design and engineering costs, construction labor, and the purchase/installation of equipment within the new facility. This project is expected to create 10 new additional well-paying positions within a Justice 40 designated community. This unique facility will produce 131,041 gallons of organic seaweed-based bio-stimulants annually.
