OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Following the approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness by the Planning Board, the installation of solar panels on the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce building has begun.

Officials from the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce, located on 1st Street, decided to install solar panels to the roof of its building, providing clean energy to the building for years to come.

According to Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kim Verreault, the chamber began considering the project a year ago.

“We followed through with this plan, seeing it as a long term investment, and one that would benefit future generations,” Verreault said during a Feb. 18 telephone interview.

The plans to add the solar panels were approved by the Design Review Committee for a determination of appropriateness. As the panels will lay flush to the roof and provide no significant change to the appearance of the building, the project was determined to be an appropriate change. The estimated cost for the completion of the project is $62,935.

Installation of the panels began Feb. 18 and continued throughout the week.

Verreault said that the chamber hopes to lead the community in its use of renewable energy.

“We are hoping that we can be a beacon for everyone else,” Verreault said. “Hopefully, others will see what we’ve done, and be inspired to do the same.”

Contact Staff Writer Abigail Worthing at news@inthecourier.com.