Indianola Municipal Utilities, in partnership with Omaha-based Sandhills Energy, held a groundbreaking ceremony for their new Solar Energy Array Wednesday, working with the PACE (Powering Affordable Clean Energy) Program from the United States Department of Agriculture. IMU General Manager Chris Desplanques tells KNIA News the facility stands on 25 utility-owned acres adjacent to the city’s water department. Its 4.1-megawatt capacity, empowered by First Solar Series 6 photovoltaic panels, will generate up to 6.5 million kilowatt hours of IMU customers’ electricity annually. Desplanques said this project lowers costs and provides clean energy.

“Green energy people, they get a reason to brag. We’re gonna have, like on a day like today, probably a third of the power the community is using is going to come from this particular solar field. And for those that only care about the cheapest source of electricity, this project checks that box as well.”

Hear more on today’s Let’s Talk Indianola.