Newberry sports complex goes solar

The Easton Newberry Sports Complex will have solar panels installed as a result of an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) from the Department of Energy.

The 10 kilowatt system of solar panels, part of the “Solar Photovoltaic Demonstration Project,” will be installed to supplement the power requirements for the complex. The project will also include installation of a real-time monitor in the lobby that will display data from the system’s energy savings and historical information.

“We chose this building due to the large number of people going in and out of the building,” Utility director Blaine Suggs said. “We want a good educational component for people to see so the monitor will do that.”

The installation of solar panels is just one of four components of the grant. The grant also calls for energy efficiency evaluations and an overall study to determine the city’s carbon footprint, according to information provided by Wendy Kinser, planner and grants coordinator.

Also, within the next 60 to 90 days, the LED streetlight retrofit program will begin. The streetlights will be placed on NW 5^th Avenue, NW 8^th Avenue and HW 27/41. The lights will be replaced with energy efficient outdoor lighting, Suggs said.

The grant covers all four components so there will be no out-of-pocket expense for the city. The installation of solar panels will begin once a contract is made with the vendor, Solar Source.

“We are trying to be more responsible with green energy and decrease our carbon footprint across the board,” Suggs said.