Wood River City Council Meeting
WOOD RIVER – Two more Wood River buildings are going solar in the near future as the city aims to save on energy costs with grant funding assistance.
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Agreements for Phases 3 and 4 of the Solar Panel Project with GRP Wegman were unanimously approved at the Aug. 3, 2026 Wood River City Council meeting. These mark the next two phases of an ongoing initiative for solar panels to be installed at all city buildings.
Wood River previously entered into a contract with GRP Wegman to install solar panels at all city buildings in a “phased approach” over the next several years. Solar panels were installed at the Police Department during Phase 1, while the ongoing Phase 2 is bringing solar installations to the city’s Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants.
The city has selected the Fire Department building for the project’s third phase and the Wood River Recreation Center for Phase 4. The costs for these installations total $238,733 for the Fire Department and $962,521 for the rec center.
Under the Phase 3 agreement, energy savings at the Fire Department are expected to total $37,114 over the first five years, leading to operational savings of $238,733 when combined with tax credits, energy credits, and rebates. Roof-mounted solar panels will be installed atop the facility’s storage and weight rooms.
Energy savings at the rec center are anticipated to total $118,799 over the first four years, bringing $961,521 in operational savings when combined with credits and rebates. Erik Merker with GRP Wegman noted the rec center marks a “much bigger project” than the Fire Department and will utilize a flush-mount system for roof installation.
Merker said they will apply for newly available grant funds for Phases 3 and 4 which would cover most of the project costs when combined with federal tax credits and Ameren Illinois rebates. Councilman David Ayres asked if there would be other ways to pursue the projects if the city doesn’t secure the grant funds. Merker said they would look at other avenues, but noted they may be less visually attractive or may have to wait until next year.
Councilman Bill Dettmers asked about the life expectancy of the solar installations. Merker said the panels carry an average lifetime of 25 to 30 years, with the overall systems expected to last up to 40 years. He said GRP will handle the operation and maintenance costs associated with each solar installation for the first 15 years, after which they will be turned over to the city.
A full recording of the Aug. 3, 2026 Wood River City Council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.
