Going Solar: It's 'Electric' With New Partnership

Pioneer Electric Co-Op will be bringing an investment opportunity to their consumers.

Anita Wendt introduced Community Solar, a subscription service available to residential owners and renters, at the June 1 Chamber Coffee.

Sunflower Electric partnered with Pioneer Electric to supply power to a 75,000 solar panel facility. The solar power is generated from the Johnson Corner Solar Facility in Stanton County. Consumers may subscribe to Pioneer’s Community Solar program at $5 per share. Each share includes 125kWh or two solar panels. Shares are limited to no more than the average electric use in the previous 12-month period.

For example, if a consumer’s 12-month average electric use is 1,000kWh, then a max of eight shares is allowed. A solar adjustment will be noted on each monthly bill following the subscription. The adjust-ment is based on revenue earned from power sold into the energy market. Subscribers may also use the program as an investment by supporting renewable energy. Customers do not have to endure credit checks or fees to sign up.

Contact Pioneer Electric for more information by calling 620-356-1211 or 800-794-9302 or visit pioneerelectric.coop.

Also at the Coffee, Becca Wendt and Mia Rock announced they had partnered with Grant County K-State Research and Extension office as summer interns to provide free programs for the youth. It was established in 2020 with a grant from the United States Department of Education.

“Our goal is to be able to help students keep their education up and have some hands-on learning to get them to the next school year,” said Wendt.

Starting next week, Wendt and Rock will offer various programs such as the Chef Program.

“Basically, what that is, is teaching the youth about different ways to be healthy but also to cook and find really delicious food as well,” said Wendt.

Rock and Wendt are also working for the Tiger Trails Summer School program. Each will be teaching Kansas Corn Stem curriculum to Hickok and Sullivan Elementary students involved in the program.

“We’re excited to be doing this again,” said Rock. “Thankfully, the grant allowed many of the counties to have two interns this year. More interns mean more programs. We are excited to continue reaching our youth within our community.”

Bene Garcia announced the current operations underway at KingPin’s bowling alley.

“We are slowly buying new stuff. We have newer balls, pins, and stuff to fix the lanes. June will basically be for renovations and refurbishing everything. In July, we’ll happily seek out building more leagues. We are buying new scoring in late July or early August,” said Garcia.

Once the new scoring is installed, Garcia jokingly said bowling will be demanded rather than requested.

“We appreciate everyone’s support and patience,” Garcia concluded.

Lastly, June’s Business of the Month was awarded to Jerry Anderson of Anderson Imaging. Jeri Lynn Wells presented the award.

“I’m sure there are many businesses more deserving than me but I appreciate it,” said Anderson.

The next Chamber Coffee will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 9 at Custom Freeze.