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John Daley ReportingEyewitness News has learned one of Utah's most prominent buildings is getting outfitted with one of the world's most efficient energy sources. The technology is solar energy and the building is the Salt Palace.
When a new solar array goes in later this year, it'll be one of the largest of its kind in Utah, and in the heart of downtown, surely the most visible.
They're hot, clean and coming soon to one of the state's most well-known landmarks, the Salt Palace; they're energy-saving solar panels,104 of them. Soon they'll be installed to the south side of the convention center's expansion, providing power for lighting inside the building's parking garage.
Mayor Peter Corroon, (D) Salt Lake County: "I think it is a trend. As more governments, as more businesses, as more developers start using this technology, the price will come down and then it'll make sense. Right now we're seeing a return on investment of just a few years, and that's really the way we can make things like this work."
The installation will cost $200,000, with Salt Lake County and Utah Power splitting the cost.
Dave Eskelsen, Utah Power Spokesman: "We believe that the future of renewable energy is to diversify our traditional resource mix from thermal generating sources, from coal and natural gas and hydroelectric."
Solar is still more expensive than coal or natural gas, but its costs are coming down steadily.
Concerns about global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions, combined with rising costs for traditional energy sources, are driving up demand for renewables like wind power, geothermal, and solar power.
There's even a worldwide shortage of photovoltaic panels as places like California sink billions into solar.
Sarah Wright, Utah Clean Energy: "Governor Schwarzenegger is calling for, I think, 40% of all new housing to be equipped with solar. Germany, places in Europe are very much promoting photovoltalic energy."
Solar projects are starting to pop up around Utah too, like a low-income apartment complex downtown and a student demonstration project at the state's Natural Resources building.
The array at the Salt Palace will supply only a fraction of the project's total energy costs, but advocates say the educational and symbolic value is immeasurable.
Lisa Romney, Environmental Coordinator, Salt Lake City: "We wanted something that was really visible for the public to show the benefits of solar, to show the applications of solar."
The installation will begin soon. The goal is to have the panels installed and ready to go by August, when the huge Outdoor Retailers convention comes to town.
