Ceremony kicks off for new solar panels at South Bend’s Wastewater Treatment Plant

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) — A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the addition of new solar panels at South Bend’s Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday.

City officials were seen at the treatment plant as the ceremony kicked off early in the afternoon.

Mayor James Mueller of South Bend says the wastewater treatment plant is the biggest electricity user.

So, installing these panels is a dual effort to reduce greenhouse emissions and save taxpayers money.

This comes after the board of zoning appeals announced back in April that they would be installing the panels.

Mayor Mueller talked about how the completion of the solar panel installation is all a part of the city’s bigger climate action plan.

“We’re looking to reduce our reliance on those power sources that generate carbon emissions, that cause the greenhouse effect and climate change. So, we’re doing our part as a city to transition to those cleaner energy sources,” said Mayor Mueller.

The project took about a year to complete.

South Bends director of Public Works says these panels will save $3 million for taxpayers in their lifecycle.

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