Solar panels could start powering Altoona

Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Emma Wheeler, WQOW

Altoona (WQOW)- The City of Altoona is getting ready to make some solar powered purchases.

The Altoona City Council agreed Tuesday to invest in the solar panels off of Highway 12. The city has decided to buy 459 panels, for a total cost of just under $300,000.  The panels would be in service for 20 years, with all maintenance being paid for by the Eau Claire Energy Cooperation, who owns the panels.  The Co-op said the city will most likely have to wait 15 years to see profits, which left some council members skeptical.

"We've got roads that are fading, miserable... I mean, if we spent that money on the roads we'd see immediate results.  But this way we're waiting fifteen years to make a profit on the last five years," said Council member Dale Stuber.

The city will need to make adjustments to the 2016 budget in order to buy the panels.  The new budget will be presented to council at their next meeting on December 10 before any final decisions are made.  

If the budget is approved, the city plans to use the solar panels to power water utilities and general city functions, like street lights.

Altoona would be the first city to buy these panels.

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