COLUMBIA, S.C. — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced South Carolina will receive $2.8 million in federal funds for 9 rural projects as part of a national effort to combat climate change. A total of $121 million is being dedicated to critical infrastructure in 49 states, Guam and Puerto Rico by the USDA Rural Development division.
Of the nine South Carolina projects, the bulk of the funding -- a $2,250,000 loan -- will go to Woodfields Solar LLC in Greenwood to be used to purchase and install a 2.92 MW solar system. Woodfields Solar LLC is a newly created entity for the purposes of generating electricity in Greenwood, South Carolina. The system is estimated to produce 5,264,637 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 485 homes. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations.
The remaining money will go to farmers and small businesses to make energy-efficient improvements, including the installation of solar panels.
In addition to the Woodlands Solar project, other funded projects include:
- Alumina LLC: $77,302. Alumina LLC purchased the aluminum automotive component manufacturing operation in Greenwood in 2013. Project funds will be used for the purchase and installation of a 200-kW solar array. This project will realize $20,571 per year in savings and will replace 280,300 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 26 homes.
- Clover Knits Inc.: $106,875. This Rural Development investment will be used to help Clover Knits Inc. install a 229.2 kW roof mounted solar array. Clover Knits Inc. is a small circular fabric manufacturer in Clover, South Carolina. The new system is expected to save $28,592 per year. It will replace 326,835 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 31 homes.
- Double B Poultry LLC: $79,325. The poultry operation that has been in business since 2015 in Monetta. Project funds will be used to purchase and install a 190.0-kW solar array. This project will realize $19,070 per year in savings and will replace 297,967 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 28 homes.
- F. Hamilton Dicks Company Inc.: $83,257. In business since 2002, this Barnwell operation will use funds for the purchase and installation of 107.8 kW roof mounted solar system on a commercial building on its agri-business operations. This project will realize $31,250 per year in savings and will replace 186,587 kWh per year.
- Metal Masters Incorporated: $60,289. This Newberry-based company manufactures fabricated structural metal and has been in business since 1973. Project funds will be used for the purchase and installation of a 115.3-kW solar array. This project will realize $19,321 per year in savings and will replace 173,600 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 16 homes.
- Phillips Farms LLC: $34,187. This Kingstree poultry operation that has been in business since 2002. Project funds will be used for the purchase and installation of a 54.7-kW solar array. This project will realize $6,494 per year in savings and will replace 85,234 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power eight homes.
- Red Legged Rooster Inc.: $107,865. Red Legged Rooster Inc. is a poultry operation in Cheraw that has been in business since 1996. Project funds will be used to purchase and install a 229.5-kW solar array. This project will realize $23,845 per year in savings and will replace 358810 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 34 homes.
- Wild Hope Farm LLC: $9,689. Wild Hope Farm in Chester will add a 14.625 kW PV system and a 5.525 kW PV system on two farm buildings. This solar system will help Wild Hope Farm to offset their energy use and production. This project will generate 18,753 kWh of electricity per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations.
To learn more about the USDA's Rural Development program, go to rd.usda.gov