Administrator's Blog

Kalamazoo County Government is excited to launch its first solar array at the Healy Street Center, 1421 Healy Street, Kalamazoo.  A Kalamazoo County Solar Array Dedication event will be held on October 10, 2019, at the solar array project at 4:30pm.

The Healy Street facility was selected as the optimal site for the solar project after a review of rate structures and electrical use loads for each County facility. The project will contain approximately 400 - 100% silica (sand) panels that are toxin free and environmentally safe and consist of a 149.65 kW fixed system, projected to produce 201,889 kWh, reducing energy consumption by 70%.    

Kalamazoo County Government’s sustainability budget policy details a commitment to fostering a safe, secure future that conserves natural resources while meeting basic human needs and services.  This commitment to a sustainable future is an important consideration in operating public facilities and in making choices and standards on behalf of County residents. Kalamazoo County worked with the Kalamazoo Township Planning Board to obtain a variance that would accommodate such a project.

Kalamazoo County Board Chair Julie Rogers said, “I’m proud of our partnership with Kalamazoo Township and Kalamazoo County on our first solar project.  It demonstrates Kalamazoo County’s commitment to sustainability while saving on our energy costs.”

Kalamazoo County Government began exploring the possibility of a solar project in early 2018 and worked with Helios Solar LLC to assess possibilities.  This solar installation is projected to result in significantly reduced C02 emissions over the 25 warranted life cycle of the solar panels. A fixed solar array system means virtually no additional maintenance costs over the system lifetime.

Posted: Thursday, October 10, 2019