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Lindy’s Sales – MI

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Federal funding powers solar energy for family-owned Michigan business

By: Gabe Hutchison

Lindy’s Sales is a boat and ATV dealer located in Fairgrove, Michigan, just off the shores of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay. The family-owned business has served outdoor enthusiasts for more than 50 years. And it is now powered by solar energy.

Six years ago, Lisa Valentine took over the dealership as her parents—who started the business out of their garage in 1970—prepared to retire. As a solar homeowner, Lisa has experienced the financial benefits of producing her own energy, which lowers her monthly electric bills and protects her from future utility rate increases. She hoped to bring these advantages to the family business to strengthen its bottom line, but the upfront costs posed an obstacle.

Last year, Lisa’s solar installer texted her, asking, “Did you fill out your REAP application?” She was unfamiliar with the program, so he explained that through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), rural businesses like Lindy’s Sales are eligible for grant funding for renewable energy and sustainability projects. Lisa got to work right away and submitted her application before the deadline.

REAP is a component of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development initiative. As a federal program, it was expanded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022. The legislation also extended and increased the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) to 30%. Both offer crucial support to rural businesses looking to access the benefits of distributed renewable energy by reducing the financial burden of the initial investment.

Aided by these incentives, Lindy’s Sales installed a 22-kilowatt roof-mounted array, designed to cover 96% of its energy needs. The total cost of the system was $77,500, and REAP provided $31,000 in grant funding for the project. When the business files its 2024 taxes, it will benefit from additional savings through the 30% tax credit.

Lisa knew how solar stood to benefit her business, but the incentives were crucial to moving forward with the project. “Without that $31,000 grant, I wouldn’t have done it.”

“My number one motivation was to reduce my [monthly] bill,” she said. Establishing the business’s financial security took priority, but the environmental benefits of producing clean energy were also important. “I want to be a good steward of the environment. I want to protect our natural resources for my kids and grandkids in the future.” The savings she secured on the upfront costs made both goals possible.

By going solar, Lindy’s Sales has locked in its cost of power and secured energy savings that will support the future of the business. Lisa’s experience with these expense-cutting upgrades highlights the role federal incentives play in the adoption of solar energy. Even advocates like her need support to expand solar to their businesses and communities—IRA-funded programs like REAP and the ITC make all the difference.

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