Kane County Animal Control now solar powered
Kane County Animal Control is celebrating its status as the first county building to utilize solar energy with a solar panel ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the facility at 4060 Keslinger Road in Geneva.
Kane County Chairman Christopher J. Lauzen will provide remarks, along with Barbara Jeffers, Executive Director of Kane County Health; Anita Lewis, Chair of the Kane County Public Health Board; and Brett Youngsteadt, Administrator for Kane County Animal Control.
The panels provide the Animal Control building with nearly all of its energy needs. The first two months with the panels have shown a $0 bill from the electricity company. Kane County Animal Control is on a 25-year lease from the solar company, WCP Solar of Naperville, with monthly costs far less than their average electricity bill.
WCP Solar secured grants and credits to reduce the monthly lease cost. Cost savings will go back into the shelter's budget and directly benefit the animals.
Converting county buildings to solar power has been a goal of the Kane County Board of Commissioners for many years.
Kane County is committed to using clean energy and renewable resources.
No greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere when solar panels are used to create electricity. The building has grid back up for nights and days with little to no sun light.
To learn more about Kane County's 2040 Energy Plan, visit CountyofKane.org.