Steel Manufacturer Celebrates Switching to Solar Power With “Flip the Switch” Event [VIDEO]

PAYNESVILLE - Solar power is gaining traction in Minnesota and Louis Industries is leading the way. The family owned steel manufacturing plant hosted its Flip the Switch event this (Thursday) afternoon to celebrate activating its new solar arrays.

CEO of Innovative Power Systems, Ralph Jacobson says the event is just ceremonial and Louis Industries has actually had the arrays activated for two months.

The Paynesville plant uses more than 1,200 solar panels to help power the building. CEO of Louis Industries, Leo Louis says they've considered using other forms of renewable energy but solar power was the most cost effective and fit all of their needs.

Winkelman Building Corporation Sales Person, David Winkelman says the plant benefits the community by providing jobs.

Louis Industries is expecting to save nearly $5,000 a month on their electric bill.