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Northern Solar

NORTHERN SOLAR COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDEN

Community solar is ideal for members who want to harness the power of the sun's energy, but lack a suitable site or funds for a solar array of their own. It's also great for those who want to support locally-produced solar energy, without the hassle and on-going expenses of operating, maintaining, and insuring personal equipment.

Beltrami Electric's Community Solar array is located at our headquarters facility and consists of 180 panels with a projected annual output of 450 kWh.  Subscriptions are available to Cooperative members.

 

Subscribe Today View Production Data

 

Beltrami Electric Cooperative has an 80 kilowatt (kW) Direct Current (DC) community solar array at our headquarters.  The array consists of 180 photo-voltaic panels, each with a projected annual average output of 450 kWh.

Northern Solar provides interested members an option to receive renewable, locally-produced, solar electricity without the hassle of installing, permitting, maintaining and insuring their own solar array.  Members may subscribe to as many panels as they wish, up to the equivalent of their annual average usage.

Members who wish to subscribe to Northern Solar have multiple options to consider:

  • Members can subscribe to panel(s) with a One-Time upfront payment option and receive the energy produced by the panel(s) for the balance of the contract as a monthly credit on their electric bill. (Estimated credits to be applied through 2036)

  • Members may choose a financing option - Easy Pay - which allows members to select a 12, 24 or 36 month payment plan, with no money down at 6% interest. They will receive a monthly credit on their electric bill for the balance of the contract (estimated credits to be applied through 2036)

  • Members may choose to Pay As You Go - this option does not include a contract. Members may simply tell us how many kWh/month they would like to come from Northern Solar and we will add it to their monthly electric bill.  With no contract, members may increase, decrease or cancel at anytime.

Contact our Energy Services department at (218) 444-2540 or (800) 955-6083 if you have questions or if you would like more information about Northern Solar.

Northern Solar FAQs

What is the purpose of a community solar program?

To provide interested members an option to purchase renewable, locally-produced solar energy.

What are the benefits of participating in community solar?

When you participate in community solar, you're choosing an alternative to fossil-fuel consumption. Solar energy is clean and abundant. Additionally, monthly credits will be calculated based on the current electric rate. That means if rates go up, the value you receive from your panel(s) production will too.

Will anything be installed on my home?

No. All equipment in installed at Beltrami Electric Cooperative's headquarters. BEC is responsible for operating, maintaining and insuring the solar array for the 20-year life of the program.

What exactly am I subscribing to? Do I own part of the solar array?

You are not purchasing the physical equipment, but rather subscribing to a portion of the energy output of the solar array.

How does community solar compare to installing solar panels on my home?

With Northern Solar, you don't have to worry about assembling or wiring your own solar power. The panels in the Northern Solar array are installed at Beltrami Electric Cooperative and are rated to last through 2036. BEC handles all maintenance requirements.

This is the perfect program for those interested in solar power who may not be able to install their own panels. All you have to do to begin receiving solar power is purchase a subscription or sign up for Pay As You Go.

Will I save money by participating in the Northern Solar community garden program?

With a subscription, possibly.  This depends on the actual cost of electricity in the future. Based on current electric rates, participants will actually pay more for the solar electricity they use, as currently energy produced by the solar array is more expensive than traditional energy sources.  As the cost of electricity increases over the term of the subscription, it is reasonable to conclude that one would save money at some point.

What happens at the end of the (20-year)* agreement?

The member participation agreement terminates at the end of the community solar program, in 2036. However, BEC will monitor and evaluate advances in solar technology to determine whether a new project would begin or an extension of the agreement would be possible at that time.

How much solar can I subscribe to?

Residential and commercial members may subscribe to as many panels as they wish, up to the equivalent of their annual average usage.

If I already have a solar agreement, can I also participate in the Pay As You Go plan?

Yes! The Pay As You Go plan is administered separately. If you have already subscribed to a panel(s), your contract will remain in place, along with your monthly credit.

How can I sign up for Northern Solar?

Stop into our office or complete the fillable pdf form below and return to Beltrami Electric with selected payment option.

Northern Solar Agreement

What if I move or no longer wish to participate?

If you subscribed to a contract, and you move anywhere within BEC's service territory, your subscription moves with you.  If you move out of BEC's service territory, you may elect to transfer or assign future panel production credits to another individual or entity within Beltrami Electric's service territory.

If you signed up for Pay As You Go, you can cancel your participation at any time.

What is Northern Solar?

Northern Solar is a community solar array at Beltrami Electric Cooperative's headquarters. Built in 2016, the array consists of 180 photo-voltaic panels, each with a projected annual average output of 450 kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Northern Solar provides interested members an option to receive renewable, locally-produced, solar energy without the hassle of installing, permitting, maintaining and insuring their own solar array. Members may subscribe to as many panels as they wish, up to the equivalent of their annual average usage.

BEC_NorthernSolar_Racking_Railing.JPG

Northern Solar Panels.JPG

Subscribe Today

Pay As You Go

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Beltrami Electric Cooperative

4111 Technology Dr NW
P.O. Box 488 | Bemidji, MN 56619

Office Hours: 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. M-F

Beltrami Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

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Phone: 24/7 Outage Reporting:
(800) 955-6083  |  (218) 444-2540

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©2023 Beltrami Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • HOME
  • MY ACCOUNT
    • MY BILL
      • View/Pay My Bill
      • SmartHub
      • Payment Options
      • Payment Assistance
      • High Bill Concern
      • Understanding My Bill
    • MY ACCOUNT
      • New Member Info
      • Account Management
        • Update My Information
      • Budget Billing
      • Capital Credits
      • Forms
      • Member Privacy
    • MY ELECTRIC SERVICE
      • Start/Stop/Transfer Service
      • Electric Service Construction
  • PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
    • PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
      • Products
        • GenerLink
        • Marathon Water Heaters
        • Steffes Electric Thermal Storage Heaters
      • Contractor Resources
      • Home Energy Assessment
      • Electric Heating Systems
      • Electric Vehicles (EVs)
      • Load Management
    • REBATES AND ENERGY SAVINGS
      • Rebates and Incentives
      • Manage My Energy Usage
        • Home Energy Assessment
      • Energy Saving Tips
      • Cost Comparison
    • RENEWABLE ENERGY
      • Infinity Renewable Energy
      • Member-Owned Renewable Energy Systems
      • Northern Solar
  • MY COOPERATIVE
    • About Your Cooperative
      • What is an Electric Co-op?
        • History of Beltrami Electric Cooperative
      • Annual & District Meetings
      • Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
      • Board of Directors
      • Contact Information
      • Employment Opportunities
      • Energy Resources Profile
      • Energy Resources Tour
      • Leadership Team
      • Political Action
      • Statement of Non-Discrimination
    • COMMUNITY
      • Community Room
        • Community Room Calendar & Reservation Request Form
      • Co-op Connections Card
        • Co-op Connections Discount Card Local Discounts
      • Operation RoundUp
      • Education & Scholarships
        • Youth Tour-Washington, DC
        • Scholarships
      • GreenTouch
      • Indoor Garage Sale
      • Touchstone Energy Community Award
      • Touchstone Energy Open
    • NEWS AND MEDIA
      • Beltrami Electric News
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        • Place a classified ad
      • Media Contacts
      • Utility Scams-Beware
      • Links & Resources
  • OUTAGES AND SAFETY
    • Outages
      • Outage & Storm Center
        • Outage FAQs
      • Report a Power Outage
      • Current Outages
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      • Outage Preparedness
      • Using a Generator During an Outage
    • Safety
      • Power Line Safety
      • Electrical Safety
      • Generator Safety
      • Call Before You Dig
      • Safety Demonstrations
      • Vegetation Management