Elmhurst Parks To Save On Energy

ELMHURST, IL – The Elmhurst Park District has completed a solar project, which is expected to save $307,000 over the 20-year life of the system, according to the district.

The 675-kilowatt project is at the district's Courts Plus fitness center.

"The new system will generate enough clean electricity to power half of the facility's energy needs each year," the district said on Facebook. "The environmental impact is equivalent to removing 118 gas-powered cars from the road annually."

The project was paid for through a power purchase agreement with the solar contractor, New York-based DSD Renewables, which owns and runs the project, and lets the district avoid any upfront construction or maintenance costs, the company said.

On Wednesday morning, the park district held a "Solarbration" to celebrate the solar installation. Its Facebook presentation is accompanied by Sheryl Crow's song, "Soak Up the Sun."