Sunworks 1.06 MW Solar Project to be Completed for Demas Farms in 2017

Sunworks, a leading provider of solar power solutions for agriculture, commercial, industrial (ACI), and residential markets, announced today a new project for a 1.06 megawatt (MW) solar system that will be constructed at Demas Farms in Winnemucca, Nevada. The installation is expected to generate energy savings in excess of $3.6 million over the next 25 years. Demas Farms, a prominent grower of alfalfa and hay, is seeking to lower energy costs as it expands its business operations.

Since 2015, a series of policy changes and net metering reductions led to economic uncertainty for both consumers and solar installers throughout Nevada. While many companies ceased doing business in the state, Sunworks stayed and continued its expansion efforts, working at a grassroots level to affect changes in local solar regulations. This year, The Nevada state legislature passed a number of new laws re-establishing the momentum that had made Nevada a key provider of solar power in the United States. The new policy changes include a "Solar Bill of Rights", expansion of the renewable portfolio standards for solar job growth, and a revised net metering rate structure that restores electricity production credits to 95% of the original rate.

The 1.06 megawatt (MW) project will offset the energy consumption required by the farm's processing and irrigation equipment and will be built with fixed-tilt solar arrays, spread across eight farm sites. Sunworks established a 7-year tax lease that included financing and utility incentives that are expected to produce energy savings of more than $100,000 during the first full year of operation.

Sunworks Chief Executive Officer, Chuck Cargile, said, "Our new partnership with Demas Farms highlights our ability to help Nevada's agricultural base reduce their electricity costs. Sunworks is supporting Nevada customers on all fronts, from residential to commercial, to help establish a financially stable, long term energy outlook that benefits the state's economy as a whole."

Demas Farms Co-owner, Josh Demas, stated, "With our recent farm expansion, we knew energy bills would be a challenge. Sunworks was able to find a solution through low construction cost and creative financing that enables us to save money on day one and stabilize our overhead costs."