North side of city hall and the fire station where the solar panels are being installed. Photo by Coltrane Carlson-Raccoon Valley Radio
Solar panels may be seen going up at some properties across the city of Jefferson.
City Administrator Scott Peterson says following the city council’s approval in January, they have been working with Red Lion Renewables to set up solar panels at 11 different locations as he explains the purchase power agreement that was also approved.
“Many of these different sites, we would work with Red Lion, Red Lion would install the panels at their cost, and we’d just enter into a purchase power agreement with them. So the savings (would) come that we can buy power from Red Lion a little bit cheaper than we can buy ut from Alliant (Energy).”   
Building Official Chad Stevens confirms that the first site that is getting equipment installed is at City Hall. Peterson notes that the city doesn’t have many other responsibilities with the solar panels. 
“Our investment into it, sort of speak, is ‘A’ allowing them to be there, and then may be a little bit of administration time, but it does save some dollars in the long run. And then, as we work through this and get into subsequent years there’s options for purchasing. And we may very well look at that at some point in the future, and of course if you own it then the energy savings are much, much more significant.”
Peterson adds that the city is estimated to save $27,000 on energy costs annually and that the project must be completed by no later than the end of 2027. 
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