South Carolina receives nearly $6M in federal funding for energy initiatives

Jason Thomas // July 29, 2024//

Solar energy has the potential to become a multi-billion dollar industry in South Carolina by 2035 that could generate more than 3,300 permanent new jobs and spark approximately $261 million annually in new worker pay, according to a new study. (Photo/DepositPhotos)

Jason Thomas // July 29, 2024//

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South Carolina has received federal grant funding to expand access to clean energy.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program and the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program, according to a news release.

“South Carolina is receiving over $5.5 million in this round of REAP funding,” said USDA Rural Development South Carolina Acting State Director George W. Hicks Jr. said in the release. “This funding will lower energy costs over time for our small businesses and agriculture producers while also benefiting the environment.”

REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements, according to the release. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.

In South Carolina:

Ashley Solar LLC is receiving over nearly $2.8 million in combined loan and grant funding for the purchase and installation of a 3.564 MWdc commercial utility scale solar array. Ashley Solar LLC is a newly created entity for the purpose of generating electricity in Darlington County. The system is estimated to produce 4,538,200 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 419 homes.
Walter P Rawl & Sons Inc. located in Lexington County, will be using a $944,212 grant to assist with the purchase and installation of an 899.3-kilowatt direct current (DC) ground-mount photovoltaic solar array. This is a farming operation that grows leafy greens for retail and the food service industry. This project will realize $84,523 per year in savings and will replace 1,418,867 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power 131 homes.
Luz Solar LLC, a newly created entity for the purpose of generating electricity in Darlington County, is receiving $1.7 million in combined loan and grant funding which will enable them to purchase and install a 1.782 Megawatts defined conditions commercial utility scale solar array. The system is estimated to produce 2,282,300 kilowatt hours per year, which is enough electricity to power 211 homes.
C&M Hog Farms LLC, located in Dillon County, received a $94,846 grant to purchase and install a new GSI 1226 grain dryer. This project will realize $9,666 per year in savings and will save 81,178 kilowatt hour per year, which is enough electricity to power eight homes.

Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.2 billion through REAP in 7,566 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements, the release stated. These projects will help rural small businesses and farmers lower energy bills by an average of $25,000 a year, generate new renewable energy income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations. The energy generated and saved from these projects would provide enough electricity to power more than 630,000 homes over the course of a year.

A complete list of all REAP projects nationwide can be found here.