Lexington's Cider Bros LLC receives USDA grant to install solar panels

A Davidson County LLC is one recipient of a $32 million USDA investment in infrastructure to lower energy costs and expand the use of clean energy across North Carolina.

However, with current policies of ElectriCities regarding solar power purchases for public utilities, the grant recipient said he will not use the grant to install solar panels right now.

Cider Bros LLC received a $59,400 grant to purchase and install a 119-kilowatt solar array. If installed, the system will produce 164,857-kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 15 homes. Cider Bros LLC is a registered LLC of Lexington's Bull City Ciderworks, with owner John Clowney as a director and officer, along with Benjamin Ingold and A.J. Nelson. The registered address for Cider Bros LLC is 599 S. Railroad St. in Lexington, which is also the address for Bull City Ciderworks in the Historic Depot District in Lexington.

"Yes, we received a grant, but based on current ElectriCities' policies there really isn't an immediate benefit or reason for us to look at installation of any soar," Clowney said. "The grant is good for several years though so if things change where solar makes more sense in Lexington, then we will consider something with solar."

ElectriCities is a not-for-profit membership organization of municipally owned electric utilities, including Lexington Utilities which provides power to Bull City Ciderworks, that are spread across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Clowney said he had hoped to make his Lexington cidery's electricity use more environmentally friendly and realize some cost savings.

"If things did change we will move forward," Clowney said.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Dec. 15 that the USDA is investing $32 million in critical infrastructure to lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy for people across rural North Carolina, and combat climate change. The USDA is also making an additional $300 million available under the Rural Energy for America Program nationwide, including $250 million through the Inflation Reduction Act, to spur further investment.

“People in rural America are on the front lines of climate change, and our communities deserve investments that will strengthen our country’s resilience,” Vilsack said. “President Biden has created a roadmap for how we can tackle the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money on their energy costs. These investments underscore the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to providing funding and resources to rural people and communities across the country to help drive economic security and prosperity.”

Other grants given out in North Carolina include:

• In Alexander County, Piedmont Composites & Tooling LLC will use a $72,049 grant to purchase and install a 296-kilowatt solar array. The system is estimated to save 427,702-kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 39 homes.

• In Caldwell County, NC Powersports Honda of NC will use a $44,852 grant to purchase and install a 117.3-kilowatt solar array. The system is estimated to produce 158,756-kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 14 homes.

• In Camden County, Albertson’s Farms Inc. will use a $49,410 grant to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of a grain dryer. The system is estimated to save 237,781-kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 22 homes.

• In Mecklenburg County, Baucom's Nursery Company will use a $98,845 grant to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of a new boiler system. The system is estimated to save 3,866,256-kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 351 homes.

• In Pender County, Craig King Farms LLC will use a $156,040 grant to purchase and install a 332-kilowatt solar array. The system is estimated to produce 507,478-kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 46 homes.

• In Polk County, East Field Farm LLC will use a $84,976 grant to purchase and install a 180.8-kilowatt solar array. The system is estimated to produce 289,551-kilowatt in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 26 homes.

• In Richmond County, Agri-Kode LLC will use a $73,416 grant to purchase and install a 174.8-kilowatt solar array. The system is estimated to produce 256,801-kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 23 homes.

• In Sampson County, J&L Smith Farms LLC will use a $81,396 grant to purchase and install a 194-kilowatt solar array. The system is estimated to produce 307,037-kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 28 homes.

• In Sampson County, Richard Horace Boney will use a $31,284 grant to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of a center pivot irrigation system. This system will save 47,917 kilowatt hours in its first year.

• In Surry County, Christopher Paul White will use a $32,146 grant to purchase and install a 54.7-kilowatt solar array. The system is estimated to produce 106,377-kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 10 homes.

• In Wake County, Coc Surry LFG will use a $2,180,000 loan to purchase and install a 1.6-megawatt landfill gas collection and combustion system. The system is estimated to produce 7.3-million-kilowatt in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 665 homes.

• In Warren County, Virginia Line Solar LLC will use a $25,000,000 loan to purchase and install a 48.57-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 88,880,098-kilowatt hours in its first year, which is enough electricity to power 8,080 homes.

“These investments are an example of USDA’s commitment to financing rural infrastructure, embracing renewable energy and supporting America’s path to energy independence,” said Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight. “Through the REAP program, USDA is investing $32 million to help North Carolina farmers, ag producers and rural entrepreneurs lower energy costs. People living in rural America will benefit from these lower costs.”

The USDA is making 844 investments through the Rural Energy for America Program. This program helps farmers, ag producers and entrepreneurs purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses lower energy costs.

USDA also announced that it will make $300 million available under the Rural Energy for America Program to expand renewable energy and support energy-efficiency projects for people living in rural America. This funding includes $250 million provided by the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic legislative package known as the Inflation Reduction Act. The deadline to apply for grants is March 31, 2023. Applications for technical assistance grants are due Jan. 31, 2023. Applications for loan guarantees are accepted year-round.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their local USDA Rural Development State Energy Coordinator well in advance of the application deadlines to discuss their project and ask any questions about the REAP program or the application process.

Additional information on the required materials and how to apply for the REAP program are available in the Dec 15, 2022, Federal Register.

Jill Doss-Raines is The Dispatch trending topics and personality profiles senior reporter and is always looking for tips about businesses and entertainment events, secret and new menu items and interesting people in Davidson County. Contact me at jill.doss-raines@the-dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Dispatch: Lexington's Cider Bros LLC receives USDA grant to install solar panels