Carlson Electric will install 100-kW solar system at Wisconsin horseradish farm

• Huntsinger Farms, the world’s largest grower and processor of horseradish and the parent company of Silver Spring Foods, has won a $28,902.60 Focus on Energy grant to subsidize a new solar power installation on its Eau Claire, Wisconsin farm. Carlson Electric of Hudson will install the solar farm in Spring 2020.

The Huntsinger Farm solar project will be one of the first farm solar installations in Wisconsin. According to the United States Energy Information Administration, less than 2% of energy in Wisconsin is generated by solar power today.

Attendees at Farm Technology Days 2020 Eau Claire, from July 21 to 23, 2020, will be able to tour the new solar field at Huntsinger Farm, the host farm for next year’s event.

The 100-kWac Huntsinger Farms solar project will be 288 American-made panels and are the same type of solar modules that are mounted on the roof of the U.S. State Department building in Washington, D.C.

“The solar field is an important step in planning for the farm’s future,” said Eric Rygg, president and great-grandson of founder Ellis Huntsinger. “By harnessing solar energy, we will bring energy costs down dramatically, improve overall efficiency, and move further towards sustainability.”

The PV system will generate approximately 144,000 kWh per year for Huntsinger — the maximum power generation allowed by Xcel Energy’s standard net-metering policy.

“We hope that other farmers across Wisconsin will come and see the solar field during Farm Technology Days next year and discover how they can install solar on their own farms, too,” Rygg said.

Carlson Electric has extensive experience implementing solar energy solutions of all sizes throughout Wisconsin and beyond, including assisting those who wish to build their own solar farm.

Founded in 1977, Carlson Electric is a Solar Power World 2019 Top Solar Contractor and is focused on helping agricultural, commercial and residential customers to design, finance and implement both high quality and smart renewable energy options that are specific to their own needs and use cases.