May was a big month for the electric co-op: We presented scholarships to the Class of 2023 and started construction on a new solar development in Polk County. I'd like to share these highlights with you in my column this month.

Funding scholarships for our next generation of leaders
by General Manager Steve Stroshane

I had the opportunity to present community service scholarships to graduating seniors of Osceola High School at their school awards night, pictured above. This group of young people will be our future computer engineers, dental hygienists, nurses, teachers, and many other careers. Our co-op scholarships are not funded by electricity rates, rather the money comes from unclaimed Capital Credits and from members who voluntarily donate their Capital Credits to the scholarship fund. Thank you to the members of Polk-Burnett who donate their Capital Credits to fund the scholarship program and the continuing education of the next generation of leaders. Members may sign up to donate Capital Credits on our website or call 800-421-0283, ext. 335.

Polk-Burnett presented $1,500 scholarships to 97 graduates this spring, for a total of $145,500! All students demonstrated community service and their parents are co-op members. Scholarship winners were listed in our May Powerlines newsletter and can be viewed on our website. Information about scholarships for the Class of 2024 will be announced in September.

Georgetown Solar construction begins, energy to benefit local members of Polk-Burnett Electric Co-op
by General Manager Steve Stroshane

Construction started in May on Georgetown Solar, a 15-acre solar array in the Town of Georgetown at 1867 100th Street, County Road I, Balsam Lake. Solar energy will feed into the electric distribution system to benefit members of Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative.

Polk-Burnett is partnering with Seattle-based OneEnergy Renewables to develop Georgetown Solar. The 2 MW solar array will generate about 4,500,000 kWh of electricity annually, enough to power 375 homes.

Georgetown Solar will be built, owned and operated by OneEnergy Renewables, a Wisconsin solar energy company that offers expertise in site development, engineering, equipment purchasing, construction and operations. The Madison-based team has developed 15 projects across Wisconsin, and 11 in adjacent states.

Polk-Burnett will purchase solar energy output from the array at a fixed rate for 25 years. The timing of Georgetown Solar construction was coordinated with other co-op solar projects across Wisconsin to get a better price and return on investment for members.

The project provides both operational and financial benefits by generating some of our own power locally. Georgetown Solar not only adds more clean energy to the grid, but it will also relieve overloading on substation equipment and help offset power market costs.

Georgetown Solar is located next to the Bunyan Substation, at the intersection of County Roads I and H in the Town of Georgetown, Polk County. This site was selected to help meet high summer demand at the Bunyan Substation. The array has 4,472 panels that operate on a tracking system to follow the path of the sun for maximum power generation.

The ground under the array will be restored with pasture, prairie grasses and wildflowers, providing habitat for pollinators and healthy root systems to prevent soil erosion from wind and rain. Co-op solar arrays are dual-purpose spaces that provide energy for members, as well as acres of important ecosystems.

Polk-Burnett supports a balanced, measured strategy to diversify energy generation and carbon reduction. We must ensure a reliable and affordable flow of electricity. Our mission is to provide safe, reliable electricity at a competitive cost. This project will help us become less reliant on volatile energy markets during peak summer days and strengthen local grid reliability.

We are excited to break ground on Georgetown Solar. We plan to dedicate the array and begin generating power by late fall. We will keep you informed of our progress.

Georgetown Solar is the second utility scale solar array in Polk-Burnett’s service territory. The first, SunTuria Solar, was dedicated in 2017 behind the co-op office in Centuria. The 1.25 MW array generates power for about 200 homes. It is owned and operated by ENGIE North American, and the co-op purchases the solar energy output. School and community groups are invited for tours. Visit our SunTuria webpage to see energy output and learn more.