Northstone Solar Works With Farming for the Future Academy on Sustainable Agriculture Project

One of the greatest parts of living in the Flathead Valley is finding the many wonderful people doing righteous work in our community. Sherry Peterson, founder of Farming for the Future Academy, is one of the most community oriented and passionate people you will meet in Northwest Montana. Farming for the Future Academy is a non-profit farm that is dedicated to providing agricultural based educational opportunities for every member of our community. Their mission statement is to unlock each student’s potential to achieve success in their education endeavors, regardless of ability and diversity, in an agricultural learning environment. 

We knew we wanted to be a part of this project when we learned of the farm’s continued commitment to folks with diverse abilities, autism and special needs. Due to the fact that the farm is on the Montana Veterans Home campus, the farm also provides a number of opportunities for veterans to spend time with the animals or simply work outside.  

So when Sherry approached us after receiving a grant to install a solar array on campus, we knew working with the Academy would be a unique opportunity to work with an organization that aligns directly with so many of our core values. The solar installation represented the first of many steps in executing Sherry’s vision of making the Academy campus a completely off-grid sustainable agriculture facility, so we knew we wanted to design a system that could grow as the farm grows, while also providing as much energy as possible in the short term. 

The Solar Array 

Hoping to provide the Farm with as much energy as possible, while working on a fixed budget, we were able to secure refurbished 250 Watt Canadian Solar Panels. Our ability to find an affordable panel option enabled us to install 8 panels. In speaking with Sherry, we knew that having the option to add panels to the system down the road, was one of her top priorities, the system’s location on the farm would allow for the system to double or even triple in size. With the panels working in conjunction with our IQ8M Microinveters, the system has been producing a significant amount of energy. 

Since we commissioned the system, in late April, it has produced 374.86 kWh, while the farm has only used 56.40 kWh. In other words, the system is sized to meet Sherry’s increased demand as she makes some exciting additions to the farm in the coming years. 

The Solar Camp 

This past week, we had the distinct pleasure of being a part of the Farming for the Future Academy’s Summer Camp program. Our Northstone Team was tasked with designing a curriculum for a Solar Camp day to educate students on the origination of solar energy as well as our specific system for the farm. After a presentation that ranged from the nuance of our Enphase system to the impact key historical figures like Nichola Tesla and Albert Einstein had on the development of modern day solar energy, we had the students complete a word search review.  

The students were then tasked with designing their own model solar arrays. Armed with a combination of cardboard, aluminum foil, glue sticks and popsicle sticks, the kids showcased an inspiring level of creativity. We may have found some future engineers out at the farm! 

For more information on the mission of Farming For the Future Academy, visit their website at: http://www.farmingforthefutureacademyinc.org/