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ZION NATIONAL PARK — A photovoltaic electrical generating system has been installed at the park's headquarters, the Zion Human History Museum and the Emergency Operations Center.
Park superintendent Jock Whitworth said the system will produce renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gasses and produce "significant" savings on utility costs.
The project consists of an 85 kilowatt hour photovoltaic or solar panel system that will produce the equivalent of what it takes to power 17 homes on an annual basis.
Along with a system already in place, Whitworth said the new addition will make the park's emergency operations facility virtually a net zero energy building, meaning about equal amounts of electricity will be supplied to the electric grid as will be consumed by the building.
The system will also produce 30 percent of the electricity for park headquarters and the Zion Human History Museum, and save 40 percent on demand charges from the utility company. The system should produce energy for at least 20 years.
E-mail: ao'donoghue@desnews.com
