Poplar Bluff Chamber embraces renewable energy, hopes to set an example

If you’ve driven through the intersection of Westwood Boulevard and Pine Street in Poplar Bluff lately, you likely spotted a new addition on the skyline – several banks of solar panels on the copper-colored roof of the Chamber of Commerce building.

“I’m extremely excited about it,” said Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter of the facility’s newly-installed solar power system. “There are 50 panels total on the south and west sides, plus the flat area on the east side.”

Each panel, he said, is rated at 295 watts and will provide power on sunny days throughout the year. The system does not store energy, so on darker, cloudy days and at night, the traditional electric grid will provide the building’s power.

Cost savings are expected to be significant, Halter said, reducing electric energy consumption at the building by about 50 percent each year.

“It’s projected to produce 18,784 kilowatt hours per year, and it’s projected to save $1,100 in energy costs annually. I’m a numbers guy, so I love those savings,” Halter said.

The panels, Halter said, were installed over a period of two months by Midwestern Solar, a Poplar Bluff-based company.

Funding for the solar system came through a $35,000 USDA Rural Business Development grant.

Steve Halter looks at the new electric meter and solar-power control panel installed at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce’s building. DAR/Paul Davis

“The process really started last year when I sought a grant for two reasons,” Halter said. “No. 1 is cost. The system supplies power for the whole building, but it’s primarily for the community room, which gets used by a lot of people and businesses. We wanted to continue to make it affordable to rent.

“The second reason is we want to show visitors that we’re a progressive community. I think it makes a good statement to have a marquee building in town showing renewable energy use and being progressive.”

The chamber’s solar panels, online only for a few days, already have drawn curiosity from passersby.

“I’ve been contacted by several people asking about them,” Halter said.

As far as he knows, the Social Security office is the only other commercial building in town using solar electricity, but he’s hopeful that will change.

“By doing this, we hope other businesses and individuals will embrace renewable energy resources,” he said.