SQFlex at Thorhild Grazing Reserve

The Thorhild grazing reserve is a 20,000 acre pasture holding 3000 to 5000 cattle at any time. The association is made up of farmers who rent the pasture from the spring to the fall. By using this pasture they can crop their land or allow their pasture to grow.

Dennis Melnyk of M.S. Waterwell has drilled several wells in the pasture over the years, this was the first opportunity to bid a solar system. The association decided to try this system due to the remoteness of the well. The well was drilled in the late spring of 2002 and two 1000 gallon stock tanks were set 200 feet from the well, in two different pastures.

The 11SQF-2 pump was set at a depth of 200 feet and a 12 panel system with CU 200 box and switches installed. On full sunlight the pump will deliver over 10 g.p.m. into either stock tank. The pastures where this system is set up can contain up to 1000 head of cattle.

Dennis has three other solar systems installed, the latest being a 3SQF-2, 6 panel system which will provide water for a 100 head buffalo operation. He has drilled several wells at another community pasture, with a typical system consisting of 20 solar panels and a 25SQF-3 pump.