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Local aquarium uses solar panels for power, education

Posted at 10:01 PM, Jun 21, 2014
and last updated 2014-06-22 00:01:55-04

DRAPER, Utah – The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is using the sun to help power their new facility, and officials said the solar panels are also an opportunity to educate children.

Chad Hoffines, president and owner of Synergy Power, said they have installed 240 solar panels on the roof, which are currently providing about 7 percent of the facility’s power.

“Once the complete system is built out, it will be right around 40 percent,” he said.

Aquarium Founder Brent Anderson said they have also added a new display inside the aquarium that explains how the solar panels work and how the efforts tie into supporting a “Living Planet.” Anderson said the panels are good for the environment as well.

“These solar panels will help us be more green and reduce the carbon footprint,” he said.

Rocky Mountain Power helped fund the project under its Blue Sky Program, which allows consumers to contribute to projects of this nature. Alene Bentley, who is a customer and community manager for Rocky Mountain Power, said this is just one of many projects.

“Blue sky customers have supported over a hundred community based projects like this one at the Living Planet Aquarium,” Bentley said.

Click here to visit the aquarium's website.