Yosemite is going green(er). Starting in June Yosemite National Park will begin installing a $4.4 million dollar photovoltaic solar panel system capable of producing 800,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually resulting in an almost 12 percent reduction in electricity purchased from outside sources.
The system will be the largest grid-connected photovoltaic system in the National Park System doubling the electricity produced through renewable energy for the Pacific West Region (58 sites) of the National Park Service.
“This project exemplifies how Yosemite, the Pacific West region, the National Park Service, the Department of the Interior and the President are trying to lead the way in making our facilities climate-friendly,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
“We are very excited about this project and grateful that the Recovery Act funding became available for us to begin the installation this summer,” said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher. “This energy-saving photovoltaic project reflects Yosemite National Park’s commitment to sustainable and renewable energy sources.”
The rooftop and shade structure mounted solar panels, to be installed beginning this summer at the El Portal Maintenance Complex, are expected to generate approximately 800,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. This will result in almost a 12 percent savings on electricity purchased off the grid.
The photovoltaic panels will be mounted on rooftops and shade structures in and around El Portal, the park’s administrative center, starting this summer. El Portal was chosen as the location for the ambitious solar project based on the high amount of direct sunlight the site receives yearly. The project is part of President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, created to stimulate economic growth. The project is expected to cost nearly $4.4 million and produce a yearly savings of $104,000 in electricity purchased from outside the park.
The contract to design and build the system has already been awarded to Paragon Industrial Applications of Atascadero, California.
(source: NPS)
Comments
3 responses to “Yosemite Going Green(er)”
Not to be a downer, but it’s going to take 39 years for this solar project to pay for itself ($4.1M divided by $104K savings)…I doubt the panels will even last that long. I can only wonder and dream of all the good restoration projects around Yosemite that could’ve have been completed with that $4 million dollars instead. In my humble opinion, what a waste.
Yeah I noticed that too. I think anywhere else the savings would be more significant but Yosemite gets power relatively cheap compared to other areas so the savings isn’t that much. I was a little more annoyed the project wasn’t given to a local contractor but, atleast the one they hired will need lodging and food and will have to spend some of that money locally.
Hi Loyd,
I think we’re all concerned about the local communities outside of Yosemite, and want to see them thrive. I recently spent a night at the Yosemite Bug, which was really enjoyable. Another one of my can’t pass up stops on the way to Yosemite is the Iron Door Saloon, and all the great photos they have of the Hetch Hetchy Valley before flooding. ( I’d love to see the valley restored). Perhaps you could feature businesses like these and others I don’t even know about. How many people have ever been to Coulterville? I’m sure you know a lot of great, historic placed to eat, stay or check out. I think most people are in such a hurry to get there that sometimes they miss some really great places along the way.
Keep up the great work…I LOVE Yosemite Blog.
Sincerely
Paul