The Washington Fairgrounds “Flipped the Switch” yesterday and are now a bit greener. Three arrays of solar panels that produce electricity have been installed and are now operational. Arvid Anderson, who served on the fair  board for 30 years, flipped the switch.

Don Lewis, with the fair board, said yesterday that Washington has the only fairgrounds in Iowa with this type of project. In total, the project cost $130,000, Alliant Energy has provided a $50,000 rebate and Orscheln Industries Foundation and CB Solar Systems, who installed the panels, have each donated $1,000 to the project.

The arrays will produce approximately 60,000 kilowatt hours per year and aer rated to stand up to inch-sized hail at 50 miles per hour. For more information, visit the fairgrounds to see the display on the swine barn next to the large show ring.