Solar PV Energy Installations
In 2008, we took our renewable energy portfolio to a new level. We completed this task by installing one of the largest non-utility-owned renewable energy systems in the country. This is a one megawatt (1 MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) energy system that was constructed at the sunniest place in the country, our Death Valley operations.
PV System Results
This system, the size of seven football fields, generates on-site more than 2.2 million kWh per year. This is enough electricity to power more than 700 American homes. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.53 million pounds each year for more than 30 years, totaling 23,000 tons of CO2.
This system is not only the largest renewable energy system in the country among all private companies, it is also the largest in the entire tourism industry, the entire Department of Interior, and of any national park concessioners.
Once it began operating, (construction was completed in February 2008), Xanterra instantaneously reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 35 percent at Death Valley, and by four percent companywide. This system also assists in furthering national security goals of energy independence. It exceeds the President Bush’s Executive Order that calls upon concessioners (and all federal agencies) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions “…through reduction of energy intensity by (i) 3 percent annually through the end of fiscal year 2015, or (ii) 30 percent by the end of fiscal year 2015.”
Other On-site Solar Photovoltaic Systems
In addition to the 1-MW PV system described above, Xanterra has four other PV systems installed or under construction as of the time of this report going to print. Two years ago, Xanterra installed grid-tied PV systems at both Zion Lodge and Yellowstone. At Zion, a 10,000 watt system was installed on an administration building and a 5,000 watt system was installed on a dorm. At Yellowstone, two 1,200 watt PV systems were installed on two new employee houses. At Crater Lake, a small PV system is used to power a remote office space for the marina operations. A 2,400 watt roof-mounted PV system is currently under construction at Rocky Mountain National Park’s retail store atop Trail Ridge Road. This system is unique in that it is off-grid and requires a battery bank for storage of electricity. It is due to be completed in the Summer of 2008.
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