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Updated: October 2, 2026 @ 2:34 am
Pictured is the car port solar panels at Ebels General Store in Reed City.
Pictured is one of the roof panels at Ebels General Store in Reed City.
Pictured is the car port solar panels at Ebels General Store in Reed City.
Pictured is one of the roof panels at Ebels General Store in Reed City.
The Ebels family is wrapping up two solar panel projects at stores in Evart and Reed City that are expected to lead to significant electricity cost savings in the coming years.
Bob Ebels said both locations have been equipped with large-scale solar installations, including panels on the roofs, on top of car ports and ground mounts.
“It’s a big project,” said Ebels, who added that when operational, the solar technology is expected to reduce electricity costs by 40% to 60%.
Both projects have been in the works since early 2025 and required quite a bit of planning to pull off.
Ebels said there is a lot of design work required, in addition to obtaining the necessary permits from Consumers Energy to install the equipment.
Ebels General Store is an energy-intensive business, Ebels said, requiring temperature-controlled rooms to keep meat and other merchandise cold at all times.
“It’s definitely a real expense we have to manage,” Ebels said in regard to electricity usage.
The technology’s effectiveness peaks in the summertime, said Ebels, who added that while some times of the year are better for solar power, the panels still generate substantial energy even during the darker months.
To help pay for the project, the Ebels took advantage of tax incentives that are available for solar developments.
Once they start seeing energy savings, Ebels said the hope is to be able to pass the savings on to customers in the form of lower costs, and to employees in the form of higher wages.
The store in Evart will be closed Friday until 10 a.m. to allow crews to finish a service upgrade and to hook up the solar system.
The system in Reed City is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.
clamphere@cadillacnews.com
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