Sunshine powers energy cost savings in Berrien County

Berrien County is expected to save $1,500 to $2,000 in energy costs after installing solar panels in a county park.

The county unveiled the project Sept. 24 at the Love Creek County Park and Nature Center, 9228 Huckleberry Road in Berrien Center.

An $88,000 grant from Michigan’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program made the installation of the 9.5 kilowatt photovoltaic system and monitoring kiosk. It uses Uni-Soloar panels manufactured in Greenville, Mich.

The panels can generate up to 14,400 kilowatts of electricity per year. A monitoring kiosk displaying the panels’ energy generation and resulting energy savings also has been installed in a public area of the nature center and will function as part of an educational display on solar energy.

Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth Acting Director Andrew S. Levin calls the project and investment that boosts Michigan’s push into alternative energies as a way to diversify the economy and train workers for green job.

“The solar panels will save money for Berrien County’s citizens for at least the next 25 years,” Levin says, “and by using alternative energy sources we are benefiting the environment.”

The state grant went to projects like that in Berrien County that were expected to create and retain jobs, save energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Michigan has awarded $17.6 million to 128 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant-funded projects across the state. Designed to assist smaller communities, these grants support energy efficiency measures such as replacing high-energy systems in municipal buildings and street lighting, creating or expanding community recycling programs, and installing small-scale renewable energy generating systems.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Andrew S. Levin, Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth