Jourdanton solar farm a first for area





Gathering for the groundbreaking of Jourdanton’s first solar farm are left to right: Steve Estrada. Director of Public Works (kneeling), Albert Garza, Sgt. Investigator Susan Netardus, City Council; Randy Shearrer, City Council; Larry Pryor, Mayor; Marty Pryor, Chamber; Sharron Brown Minority Involvement Coalition; Ryan Riddle, Texas Solar Power Co.; Dan Nick, City Manager; Rhonda Lem, President of Jourdanton Chamber of Commerce; Debbie Molina; Sharon Dornak, Daniel Sauceda, Karnes Electric Cooperative and Gilbert La Fuente, Outreach Coordinator for Congressman Henry Cuellar.

Gathering for the groundbreaking of Jourdanton’s first solar farm are left to right: Steve Estrada. Director of Public Works (kneeling), Albert Garza, Sgt. Investigator Susan Netardus, City Council; Randy Shearrer, City Council; Larry Pryor, Mayor; Marty Pryor, Chamber; Sharron Brown Minority Involvement Coalition; Ryan Riddle, Texas Solar Power Co.; Dan Nick, City Manager; Rhonda Lem, President of Jourdanton Chamber of Commerce; Debbie Molina; Sharon Dornak, Daniel Sauceda, Karnes Electric Cooperative and Gilbert La Fuente, Outreach Coordinator for Congressman Henry Cuellar.

The City of Jourdanton is planning for their future in a green way. Before the city breaks ground on their much needed municipal building, they first dug in to help save energy in the long run to prepare for the installation of solar panels – making Jourdanton the home of the first solar farm in Atascosa County.

Through a grant received from the American Recovery Reinvestment Act, the Texas State Energy Conservation Office and the State Energy Program, the solar panels are being installed near the property of the future site for the municipal building.

Sharron Brown with the Minority Involvement Coalition, assisted the city in receiving the grant. The products used must be American made. The grant covered 80 percent of the cost. Luckily, the cost of the panels decreased and instead of a 60KW system a 120KW ground mount photovoltaic system will be installed. It will provide 40-60 percent of the total energy required to operate the facility. Karnes Electric Cooperative is the energy provider for the project and is working with the City of Jourdanton to provide green power to the facility.

Dan Nick, Jourdanton City Manager, commented “This is a great example of corporations and municipalities working together.”


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