Sunshine-Powered Ponies

By Alissa Byrd

A Carousel for Missoula introduced solar power to Missoula’s favorite painted ponies by using funding received through the NorthWestern Energy Efficiency Plus (E+) Renewable Energy Program.

Imagine a carousel that is powered by sunshine. That’s what you’ll find at A Carousel for Missoula, thanks in part to funds from NorthWestern Energy.

A Carousel for Missoula recently partnered with NorthWestern Energy to install 32 360-watt solar panels on the building’s roof.

Whether you ride a merry-go-round once a year or every day, there’s something special about getting on a carousel and riding on painted ponies. It’s not hard to imagine your face lighting up in a smile as you fly around in circles in the summer sun. In short, carousels speak to the best parts of a child’s imagination.

A Carousel for Missoula applied in fall 2021 and received funding through the NorthWestern Energy Efficiency Plus (E+) Renewable Energy Program in February 2022 for this renewable generation project.

“I think it is important that we each do all we can to help slow down climate change; solar panels are such an easy way to do that,” said Theresa Cox, former Executive Director of A Carousel for Missoula, who retired in late 2021.

NorthWestern Energy provided a $27,090 incentive to help fund 90% of the solar panel installation. The panels contribute to the power consumption of the ride, spinning 38 ponies and providing entertainment for families.

Prairie Rose is one of 38 handcarved and painted ponies at A Carousel for Missoula.

“The program has been around for many years, but we’ve never partnered with a carousel before, and that’s what makes this project unique,” said Shawn Fredrickson, NorthWestern Energy Demand Side Management Specialist. “We have funded many renewable energy projects for museums, schools, libraries and food banks, but this is the first carousel.”

“Once selected, customers apply through our Interconnection Department before the installation can begin,” Shawn explained. “We want to ensure that the interconnection engineers can review the diagrams and make sure the project is compatible with our system.”

One of NorthWestern’s qualified installers, Big Sky Solar and Wind, installed the rooftop panels. A laptop inside shows how the panels produce electricity and how much the carousel needs to run, which satisfies the program’s educational component.

The carousel also replaced 22 14-watt fluorescent tube lights with LED tubes, and NorthWestern provided a rebate through the E+ Commercial Lighting program.

As part of a number of Efficiency Plus programs, NorthWestern Energy offers custom renewable energy incentives for nonprofits, schools, community centers, etc., through the E+ Renewable Energy Program. Proposals are accepted twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

A Carousel for Missoula recently partnered with NorthWestern to install 32 360-watt solar panels on the building’s roof.

The carousel at Caras Park is a beloved centerpiece of the park, where locals often gather with their families and friends, and a long-standing part of Missoula’s history and culture. NorthWestern is proud to partner with A Carousel for Missoula to provide a new and sustainable way to power Missoula’s favorite painted ponies.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera to take a virtual ride on the Carousel for Missoula. A Carousel for Missoula recently partnered with NorthWestern to install 32 360-watt solar panels on the building’s roof.

About our E+ Renewable Energy Program

The E+ Renewable Energy Program provides custom incentives for projects that benefit organizations and communities and for nonprofit or government facilities. Projects must provide civic value, including education and visible representation of renewable energy technologies to a broad audience. A limited amount of electric Universal System Benefits (USB) funding is available. Proposals are accepted twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

Successful proposals are selected based upon ranking the five criteria listed below, through internal and external review and upon the limited amount of USB Renewable Energy funding available for the cycle.

• Nonprofit or government/public facility

• Geographic location – NorthWestern looks at where past projects have been funded and where there are geographic gaps or need for public purpose balance

• Participant match (at least 10%)

• Educational value – Detailed plan for providing education on the benefits of the project

• System maintenance – Detailed maintenance plan is required. Projects must be installed by a NorthWestern Renewable Energy Qualified Installer. Projects must meet interconnection requirements at the time of installation. Project must be net metered. The current interconnection agreement and list of qualified installers is available at NorthWesternEnergy.com/PrivateGeneration.