KC companies, residences turning to solar panels to lower energy costs

A solar boom in the United States could reach its peak by the end of 2019, due to a combination of improved technology and an expiring federal subsidy.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fastest-growing profession in the United States is solar panel installer.

In Kansas City, dozens of businesses and residences have installed new panels in the past year, including Kwik Kar Automotive in the Northland.

Tanner Wilkins, part of the family that owns the service shop, said the business saw an opportunity to lower their energy costs in the long run.

"Everything's on computers nowadays," Wilkins said. "We have compressors for our air tools, lights, everything in the shop."

Wilkins provided KCTV5 News with copies of his electric bill from 2018. Last June, Kwik Kar spent $810 on its power service.

This summer, with the help of the solar panels, the business only owed $267, mostly taxes and hookup fees. In terms of actual electrical usage, the business actually put power back into the grid, $16 worth.