The Kansas City East/Oak Grove Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Holiday is unveiling a newly constructed solar array, capable of supplying all the campground’s power needs.
Located east of Kansas City near Oak Grove, the new solar field has the ability to produce more than 470,000 kilowatt hours (kWH) of power annually. By comparison, KOA stated the average American home requires about 10,000 kWh each year, meaning the solar array could power nearly 50 homes.
“Campground guests use more electricity than most people realize. In fact, electricity is our third highest expense,” campground owner Andrea Nuemann said. “This is their temporary home away from home and modern RVs have multiple devices to power from air conditioners to TVs and everything in between.”
The solar array is a green initiative that will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, KOA stated. The system is expected to save more than 15,000 tons of CO2 over its lifetime, the equivalent of planting 360,000 trees or reducing auto miles by 31 million.
“Campers, by definition, appreciate nature so we think many will like that the park has gone solar,” Nuemann said.
The campground earlier converted to LED lighting and planted more than 375 trees and bushes. More spring planting is planned, KOA stated, to add to the campground’s beauty and reduce air and noise pollution generated by a nearby expressway.
The Kansas City East/Oak Grove KOA Holiday is at 303 NE 3rd Street in Oak Grove, Missouri.
