The Mountain Humane Animal Shelter was the first no-kill shelter in the state. They can add another superlative to their credentials: Their new facility will be run mostly with solar energy.
“We were able to put the maximum amount of solar panels that were allowed without becoming a public utility," says Executive Director Jo-Anne Dixon. "So we have a 100-kilowatt system on our building and it’s the largest in our valley.”
She says they used a $220,000 donation to design and install the panels. They project that they’ll save about $10,000 annually in electricity costs.
“We’ve all learned a lot [about solar] through this process."
Dixon says they worked with Ketchum-based solar company Altenergy. They’re preparing to move into the new shelter in February, but the solar panels are already working.
Correction: After this story aired, a spokesperson for the shelter reached out to say that solar power is the largest source of power for the shelter. But it is not the only source of power; the shelter also relies on power provided by utility Idaho Power.
Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
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