SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital hosted a blessing and dedication for its brand-new solar field, located on the northwest side of the hospital.

The event, preceded by a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted by the Centralia Chamber of Commerce, was attended by several SSM Health officials and St. Mary’s Hospital staff.

“Today we are dedicating and blessing the solar field. The solar field stands as a testament to our commitment at SSM Health to sustainability and renewable energy,” said Damon Harbison, President of SSM Health Illinois. “It will provide technology important to sustainable practices in protecting the environment. This blessing will reinforce the idea that human activity should be in harmony with nature and promote a consciousness in all of us.”

Harbison said the solar field presented Tuesday was Phase 1 in the hospital’s overall plan, with the coming Phase 2 said to double its size. The finished solar field will feature 1170 panels on 1 and three quarters acres northeast of the field. Harbison said the annual production of 327,000 kilowatts per hour.

“This amount of solar energy, instead of electricity from the utility grid, and reduces our carbon dioxide emissions by 256 tons each year,” Harbison said. “To put that in perspective, 256 tons of Co2 is the equivalent of planting and growing 3,839 trees for ten years or removing 51.7 gasoline-powered vehicles driven for one year.”

Harbison thanked the non-profit energy provider, Mission Energy, which partnered with the hospital to create the solar field.

“Together we are shaping a brighter and cleaner future, Harbison said.”

The dedication was followed by a viewing of the total solar eclipse by those in attendance.

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital

618-436-8000

400 N Pleasant Ave, Centralia IL

St. Mary’s Hospital - Centralia (ssmhealth.com)