Pete’s Iola franchise to add solar power – The Iola Register

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Now.Solar

By TIM STAUFFER, REGISTER MANAGING EDITOR
Local News
May 6, 2026 – 3:31 PM
A Pete’s convenience store in Chanute has gone solar, and two Pete’s locations in Allen County will soon do the same.
SEK Solar of Chanute recently announced the completion of a 97-kilowatt system composed of 162 panels installed on the store’s roof and parking canopy. The store is located at 701 N. Santa Fe.
A slightly larger solar project is planned for the Pete’s location at 1700 East Street in Iola. That system is expected to supply nearly 100% of the store’s electric consumption. Panels will be installed on the store’s roof as well as the automotive and diesel canopies.

The Iola Pete’s location at 1700 East Street will soon have a solar system that meets nearly 100% of the store’s electrical usage. Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register

Daniel Zywietz, co-founder of SEK Solar, said crews will begin installation at the Iola Pete’s location in the next several weeks. “We should be finished in under three months,” he said.
And while Humboldt’s new Pete’s location at 218 N. 9th St. is still under construction, solar will also be included in the design, with an array designed to produce about 50% of the store’s electric use.
The solar panels at the Chanute store will produce about 118,000 kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power about 10-11 Kansas homes. It’s expected to generate just under 40% of the convenience store’s electric demands.
GAREK PETERS, administrative director for Pete’s, said the company is just getting started, noting they have plans to incorporate solar into as many locations as they can.
“Like anything with Pete’s, our foot is on the pedal,” Peters said. “We’re pushing hard for growth and pushing for projects, so we’re looking to expand solar and grow aggressively.”
The finances were what swayed leadership, he said.
“From a capital standpoint, it’s an upfront investment, of course. But with our industry and the amount of energy we use, the internal conclusion we reached is that it truly makes sense to us,” Peters said.
“If it pays for itself within 7 years, and for 18 years instead of paying money to Evergy, we’re putting that money back into our business, that’s a no-brainer,” he said. “We really believe solar is and will play a huge part in the future of Pete’s.”
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