Panels added to solar farm

The Palouse solar farm has increased its generating capacity by seven kilowatt hours after another row of panels was added in July with money left over from the farm's original construction cost last year.

The farm was funded by a $277,000 grant from the Washington Department of Enterprise Services and $130,000 from state Local Option Capital Asset Lending (LOCAL) loan taken out by the city.

When the project came in $40,000 under budget last fall, the city contacted the state about returning the extra money.

“It turned out to be more of a hassle than you might think,” said Palouse Mayor Michael Echanove. Representatives of the LOCAL program indicated that they had already committed that money to Palouse.

“Someone came up with the idea that the best resolution was to add more solar panels,” Echanove said.

The new panels began producing energy July 19, increasing the farm's production capacity from 68 kw to 75 kw at any given time.

Power generated by the solar installation is used to power the city's number-three pump, one of two pumps serving the city. The $130,000 loan is expected to be paid off with savings on the city's power costs.