Zoo Goes Solar

The Ft. Worth Zoo recently installed a large solar array to power several of its buildings. Their new solar power system is expected to save about $300,000 in energy costs over its thirty year life span. The savings will likely be applied to both local and international conservation endeavors. The zoo collaborates on animal projects in 34 countries and cooperates with the International Elephant Foundation and the Turtle Survival Alliance.

$140,000 was donated by Green Mountain Energy Sun Club to purchase the new system. They have donated funds for about 30 solar installations in the state of Texas, which could have a breakthrough in solar development, due to falling solar technology prices. The huge southern state receives an enormous amount of sunlight – enough that its solar capacity alone could power the entire state. (Wind power has been their main source of renewable energy so far, however.)

“To put it into perspective, the sunshine that falls on Texas each month has more energy than all of the oil that has ever been pumped out of this state. If you think oil made Texas great, just wait till you see what they do with solar,” said Rhone Resch, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. (Source: PegasusNews)

The Ft. Worth Zoo was founded with less than ten animals in 1909, but today they have about 350 species living there. Undoubtedly the addition of solar power at the facility visited by many people, will also raise some clean energy awareness, as well as educating the public about animals.

Texas Governor Rick Perry is one of the ‘drill, baby, drill crowd,’ but clean energy is a much better future for Texas, America and the entire world because oil contributes too much to climate change, and pollution of the air, water and land. Oil drilling is also hazardous for workers, who are injured or killed too often.

Image Credit: Malcolm

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Quanta K.

3:08AM PDT on May 4, 2012

Thanks.

send a green star

Dawn F.

1:49AM PST on Feb 24, 2012

I really don't like zoos, but we have done so much damage to ANY "natural" habitat, animals have no place to call home & at this time it's probably the only chance MOST species have. But IF we ever can release them, will all their wildness be breed out of them? Generation after generation have gotten used to us feeding them. Will they ever be able to actually be WILD?
I love the solar idea though. Maybe with all the ca$h saved on utility bills... The zoo can buy more land for the captive animals...? Just the right thing to do I think.

paula e.

2:44AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

Awesome. Wat to go.

James B.

10:56PM PST on Jan 28, 2012

Thanks

Gary C.

5:30PM PST on Jan 28, 2012

Good news ,Thankyou....

Kamryn M.

9:24AM PST on Jan 28, 2012

Animal Ark is completely solar/green energy.