Solar energy facility could be up by end of 2022

A solar energy facility could be up and running in Sheridan County by the end of 2022.

That’s the projection of Rocco Vrba, owner of Energy of Utah, parent company of Sheridan Solar LLC.

Sheridan Solar will go before the Sheridan County Planning Commission Thursday night, seeking a commercial solar energy facility permit. From there, the application will go before Sheridan County commissioners next month.

Vrba said the project is a stationary photovoltaic system without any battery backup, located on around 90 acres. He said the acreage, which will be leased, is privately owned by Cam Forbes.

Vrba said Energy of Utah has been working on this project for at least six months. He said Energy of Utah has developed the only existing commercial utility-scale solar facilities, and the company isn’t new to solar development.

Vrba said his company has a contractual agreement with Montana-Dakota Utilities, with the plan being to replace some of the higher costs that MDU currently experiences in providing electricity. He said Sheridan was chosen for the solar facility site because Energy of Utah already has a number of projects in Montana, so Sheridan fits into the company’s picture.

Also, he said, MDU offered some opportunity for a small project. He said he feels that this project is a good fit for MDU as well as for Sheridan County and everyone involved.