Three renewable energy projects – in Ogden, Vernal and Moroni – have been awarded Blue Sky funding from Rocky Mountain Power.
The DaVinci Academy of Science and Arts in Ogden has been awarded $163,800 to build a 65-kilowatt solar system. The solar panels will provide about 89,000 kilowatt-hours each year, or about 13 percent of the charter school’s energy needs.
“This school was built with a mission of giving students the knowledge and skills needed to compete in the 21st century,” said Fred Donaldson, the academy’s executive director. “Our teaching has always emphasized alternative energy and this solar array will now allow students to have hands-on experience on how solar energy can be harnessed and used.”
North Sanpete Middle School will receive $576,224 to build a 206-kilowatt solar array and a 32-kilowatt-hour battery storage system and electric vehicle charging station. The battery system will be charged using excess solar power during the day and help meet the school’s energy needs when the sun is not shining.
“This is an exciting new chapter because this is the first time Blue Sky funds have been used for battery storage,” said Keven Hoopiiaina, Blue Sky manager for Rocky Mountain Power. “This innovative project will provide valuable lessons for students and the public about how the latest technology can be used to promote clean energy.”
The North Sanpete School District is already leading the way for students to learn more about renewable energy and technology. District schools already have some small solar panels, and the middle school and high school have extracurricular “Green Power” electric car teams where students work on electric cars for sanctioned electric car competitions. The school district is also planning to add courses to teach students how to install and test solar panels.
“We consider the solar and battery project to be an important part of our STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) educational efforts,” said Samuel Ray, the district’s superintendent. “We want our students to be on the cutting edge of technology and renewable energy.”
The Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce will receive $55,984 to help install a 41-kilowatt solar array at its building on Main Street. The building also will have kiosks in order for visitors to learn how the solar panels are producing energy for the facility.
“We hope this solar project will be a strong example in a community that has not traditionally used renewable energy,” said Joel Brown, the chamber’s executive director.
Utah’s Blue Sky customers have voluntarily supported wind power generation in the region and provided more than $8 million in funding awards to community-based renewable energy projects. Last year, they supported newly developed wind energy equal to planting nearly 1.7 million trees and committed funding to help bring six new solar projects online in the state.
Blue Sky renewable energy is separate from, and in addition to, what Rocky Mountain Power buys or generates to serve its customers. Utah has more than 44,000 Blue Sky customers.
