Platte River State Fish Hatchery in Beulah just wrapped up its first week generating solar power. Stowe is the natural resources manager at the hatchery.
He says the conversion to solar is part of an effort by the Department of Natural Resources to fight climate change and lower utilities costs.
“There are six state fish hatcheries and of the DNR’s utility budget, they use about 20 percent of the entire utility budget. And there are only six hatcheries out of hundreds of facilities and buildings.” said Stowe.
Hatcheries have to pump millions of gallons of water a day, and often heat large quantities of water, too. The installation at the Platte River location is expected to save the DNR about $13,000 a year.
Five of the state hatcheries are set to receive solar arrays. The sixth hatchery in Marquette is too shaded by hills and trees to generate enough power to offset the investment.
