Tiverton Farm Receives $20k Grant For Solar Panels

TIVERTON, RI — A family-owned Tiverton farm has received a $20,000 grant to install solar panels. Once operational, the 41.25 Kilowatt roof-mounted solar panels will completely offset the farm's electricity usage. The farm, which produces more than 150 acres of potatoes and squash, requires large amounts of electricity for production and processing.

"Electricity is so expensive," Jason Peckham, a third-generation farmer, said. "We're for green energy anyway, but not having to pay for electricity usage will help so much."

Ferolbink Farm was founded by Jason's grandfather in the 1940s and has been family owned and operated ever since. Peckham said now was the perfect time to undertake the solar project, since the roof of the main barn needed to be replaced. The grant, awarded by the Rhode Island Department of Envorimental Management, will help offset the initial cost of the solar panels.

"It's is really helpful to us," Peckham continued. "The cost of solar is coming down, but it's still expensive. This will help cover about 20 percent of our costs."

The grants are part of a partnereship between the DEM, the RI Office of Energy Resources and the RI Resource Conservation and Development Area Council. They are given to local farmers to help make their facilities more environmentally friendly and are funded by the RI Farm Energy Program.

Tiverton's representative, Dennis Canario (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton), praised the state's commitment to green energy.

"This is exciting news for Tiverton and I thank the DEM and the Ferolbink Farm for committing to responsible, sustainable green energy to power this agricultural small business in our town," Canario said. "It is important that we all adapt to the changes in our climate through the use of green energy and I find it very encouraging that our state’s administration and our small businesses are working together to ensure the future protection of our environment."

Peckham said the farm hopes to have the solar panels fully operational by the fall.

"We're really looking forward to getting it up and running," he said.