Rochester Farmer Walch Awarded $13,750 cash grant for Sundance Energy Solutions Solar Project

ROCHESTER, Minn. - Oct. 29, 2015 - PRLog -- Jerome Walch of Rochester, MN was awarded a $13,750 cash grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for his solar project installed by Sundance Energy Solutions of Hastings, MN.  REAP helps farmers and rural business owners reduce their costs by providing grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

More than $1.6 million in funds is coming to Minnesota through either grants or low-interest loans through the program.

“Minnesota’s farmers and rural communities are the backbone of our state’s economy,” said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota. “I fought to expand the REAP program in the 2014 Farm Bill, and I am glad to see this support helping Minnesota farmers and small business owners cut their energy costs while boosting renewable energy.”

“When Minnesota farmers and rural communities deploy renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects, it lowers their overall energy costs and makes our country more energy secure,” added U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota. “As co-author of the Farm Bill’s energy section, I was proud to include strong support for the Rural Energy for America Program. These REAP grants will assist in the installation of energy‎ projects, and help Minnesota’s farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses continue to thrive.”

Sundance Energy Solutions of Hastings, MN worked with Walch on the 15kW ground mount project that will offset a large portion of his electric consumption on his organic dairy farm. Walch's 15kW solar array went into production in September, 2015.