Going Green: Solar Panels Arrive at Pettis County Courthouse

Pettis County became one step closer to going green as 1000 pound crates of solar panels were slowly lifted to the roof of the Pettis County Court House. The Hugh Crane from W&M Welding began the operation on the south side of the Pettis County Courthouse a little after 8:00 this morning (Aug. 30).

In addition to the one 25kw unit installed on the roof of the Pettis County Courthouse, two 25kw units will be installed on the roof of the Pettis County Jail. One of the jail units will supply power to the jail and the other will supply power to the Public Safety Building.

According to Pettis County Presiding Commissioner John Meehan, it is estimated that the solar panels will save Pettis County an average of $11,000 a year over the next 25 to 30 years. It is also estimated that almost 2000 tons of carbon dioxide will be eliminated from county's carbon footprint over the life of the panels, the equivalent planting almost 47,000 trees.

Newstalk 1050 KSIS had an opportunity to talk to Maintenance Supervisor for Pettis County Brett Manual and Pettis County Presiding Commissioner John Meehan. Listen to the interviews below.