Wood River Passes $6 Million Agreement For Water Plant Solar Panels

Wood River City Council Meeting

WOOD RIVER – Wood River officials approved the second phase of a plan to install solar panels for all city buildings this week, with a $6 million project planned at two water treatment plants.

On April 20, 2026, City Council members unanimously approved a resolution approving an agreement for Phase 2 of the Solar Panel Project under a previous contract with GRP Wegman to install solar panels at the city’s Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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According to the resolution, Wood River previously entered into a contract with GRP Wegman to install solar panels at all city buildings in a “phased approach” over the course of several years. After the project’s initial phase saw solar panels installed at the Police Department building, the city selected its Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants to be included in the next phase of solar installations.

The total cost for both Phase 2 solar installations is not to exceed $6 million. GRP Wegman estimates $164,423 in energy savings for the first year after installation, followed by $120,905 in energy savings the following year.

With a combination of $285,328 in energy savings from the first two years, over $1.3 million in Solar Renewable Energy Credit proceeds, nearly $1.5 million in grant funds, and $2.9 million in tax credits, GRP Wegman estimates the $6 million project will pay for itself after seven years.

The city’s final payment to GRP Wegmen will be made within 30 days of the project’s estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2027. A full recording of the April 20, 2026 Wood River City council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.

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