The city of Kewanee is going solar, after City Council action Monday.
The council approved an ordinance authorizing City Manager Gary Bradley to execute an agreement for the city to purchase power generated by a new solar array to be built on the property of the wastewater treatment plant on Fischer Avenue.
The power purchase agreement will be with a company called the Clean Energy Design Group.
At Monday’s council meeting, Mayor Gary Moore said the city has been working with the Clean Energy group to bring solar to a city property. But finding a company to finance the operation for the city has been a problem.
Now, Moore said, the Clean Energy company will finance the operation itself.
According the the ordinance passed Monday, the solar panels will serve the wastewater treatment plant, city hall and “other facilities as may subsequently be approved for inclusion.”
The solar project should “lower (the city’s) operating costs while minimizing the city’s impact on the environment,” the ordinance says.
Moore said Kevin Yepsen, who has worked for several years to help residents, businesses and governments in the Kewanee area develop solar capabilities, is working with the city to bring about the arrangement with Clean Energy Design Group.
The contract with Clean Energy calls for the city’s payments for the power generated by the solar array to total just under $2 million for the 25 years the contract will be in effect.
Installation of the solar panels is to start six months after the contract is signed and be completed within two months after that.
Clean Energy will also submit an application to Ameren Illinois for a Smart Inverter rebate of $321,300 for the city.
