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NorthWestern Energy hopes to improve rural reliability with first solar panels in Montana
Solar energy could help provide the way of the future for rural Montana.
"We’re trying to understand how to use batteries in the system and increase rural reliability," project manager Jon Shafer said.
Chief Executive Officer Bob Rowe said this could be "part of the future," for rural electricity needs in Montana.
Susan Dunlap For the Independent Record
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NorthWestern Energy unveils rural micro-grid project using solar panels
Northwestern Energy http://www.northwesternenergy.com/ unveils a new power grid that uses solar panels to generate electricity. When power goes out in rural Montana this new and innovative technology could help put the lights back on.
Two solar panels stand tall along Interstate 90. They will provide power to 17 rural homes in the Deer Lodge area in the event of a power outage. They are part of a NorthWestern Energy innovative micro-grid pilot project that will capture and save solar energy for a time when power is lost in rural areas.
By Nessa Wright
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NorthWestern Energy Offers Energy Efficiency Training, Scholarships Aimed at Building Managers http://www.matr.net/article-68339.html
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NorthWestern Energy project aims to help rural customers
NorthWestern Energy has a new approach to using solar panels and batteries. It’s part of the rural microgrid project by the utility.
Monday afternoon, NorthWestern Energy http://www.northwesternenergy.com/ hosted an open house to show off the project near Deer Lodge. The panels are visible from I-90.
The solar panels are used to generate electricity, which is stored in the batteries, and it will be used during power outages to provide more reliable service to customers in a rural area north of Deer Lodge.
"If the power goes out in a rural area, rather than having to wait for somebody to come restore the power, automatically the batteries would supply the power," said NorthWestern Energy spokesman Butch Larcombe.
This is a pilot project and it’s expected to last five to 10 years, before NorthWestern Energy officials will evaluate it to see if it’s effective.
By Andrea Olson, KECI Reporter, [email protected]
Full Story: http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/northwestern-energy-project-aims-to-help-rural-customers/35935994
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Solar playing role as backup power near Deer Lodge
Susan Dunlap [email protected]
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