The state’s Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has received $1.5 million in federal funds to install solar panels at nine DEM locations, including Lafayette Fish Hatchery in North Kingstown.

The funds come as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and will be used to help offset electricity costs at the nine facilities. The majority of these panels, 40 inches wide and 66 inches long, will be mounted on existing roof structures. The number of panels will depend on the size of the installation at each site. The total anticipated electricity savings between the nine sites is about $50,000 annually.

DEM targeted nine facilities that both required a substantial amount of energy fore operations and would provide an opportunity for the public to learn about renewable energy. For North Kingstown’s hatchery, solar panels will be installed on the top of an existing eight-foot-tall protective cage that covers existing raceways where fish – primarily trout – are raised to stock Rhode Island’s waterways for public fishing. The panels are expected to generate more than 21,000 kWh of electricity, saving the state $3,000 per year in costs. In addition to the savings, the panels will also serve as a shading device for the fish and a barrier to fish-eating birds in search of a meal.

“These installations demonstrate a significant investment in Rhode Island’s commitment to renewable energy,” said Governor Lincoln Chafee in a press release. “The projects will not only reduce our electricity bills at the different facilities, but will provide a great educational tool for the public.”

DEM's announcement came just days before the North Kingstown Town Council began discussion on a possible solar energy law. Councilors and town officials stressed that this would not be a repeat of the past year's wind energy ordinance woes, which has received sizable public opposition, and would take this process slowly and conservatively. Findings from the Renewable Energy Siting Partnership (RESP) may also factor in the creation of a solar energy ordinance. The RESP initiative is designed to develop science-based statewide guidelines for where renewable energy projects are appropriate and how they should be developed.

North Kingstown is already home to the state's largest solar farm. In August, Toray Plastics America unveiled its $2 million, 1,650-panel solar array which will help the company offset its large electricity costs. Toray is the largest consumer of electricity in the state, with a $25 million electric bill.

In addition to the Lafayette Fish Hatchery, the following DEM sites will also be receiving solar panels:

• Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett
• Fisherman’s Memorial State Park and Campground in Narragansett
• Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly
• Burlingame State Park in Charlestown
• Dawley State Park in Exeter
• Prudence Island Research Reserve
• Urban Edge Farm in Providence
• East Matunuck State Beach in South Kingstown

DEM is installing a web-based “dashboard” reporting system, allowing the public to track the amount of electricity produced by the panels as well as the wind turbines at Fisherman’s Memorial State Campground and Salty Brine State Beach in Narragansett. An additional turbine is currently being installed at East Matunuck State Beach in South Kingstown.

DEM estimates that the projects will be completed by the end of February 2012.