Riverland Energy cuts ribbon on solar array in Buffalo County that can generate power for 550 homes
Cooperative serves more than 16,000 members in Buffalo, Trempealeau and La Crosse counties
COCHRANE, Wis. (WKBT) — Riverland Energy Cooperative and Stromland Solar LLC cut the ribbon Thursday for a new solar array system that can generate power for about 550 homes.
The system, which OneEnergy Renewables developed, is on about 20 acres of land off of Prairie Moon Road in the Buffalo County village of Cochrane. Riverland has an agreement with OneEnergy to buy electricity the installation generates.
The 8,000-panel, 3 MW peak output system is “a very positive project for the area,” said Riverland General Manager Jerry Sorenson.
The bi-facial panels, which allow solar production from the top and the bottom, were designed to move east to west with the sun, said Eric Udelhofen, OneEnergy Renewables’ project development director.
Grazing sheep during the summer will control grass and weeds at the facility, he said.
Project partners also include Arch Electric Inc. and Greshik Farms, which owns the land.
Riverland is a member-owned electric cooperative that provides electricity and an assortment of energy-related programs and services to more than 16,000 members in Buffalo, Trempealeau and La Crosse counties. It has offices in Arcadia and Onalaska.
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