The National Park Service along with assistance from the former Utah Energy Office, has aided the parks in Utah with energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The work performed by the former Utah Energy Office was funded by a series of grants from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Renewable energy projects include the photovoltaic (PV) systems at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Zion National Park, and rehabilitation of the PV system at Natural Bridges National Monument.

Renewable Energy Projects

Click on name or photo for detailed information on each project.

Arches National Park Four photovoltaic/diesel hybrid systems were installed to provide electricity for two campground host/comfort stations, a comfort station/amphitheater and a ranger contact station.
Canyonlands National Park A photovoltaic system with a battery bank and inverters were installed at the remote Hans Flat Ranger Station in the Maze District.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area A photovoltaic/propane-hybrid system was installed at Dangling Rope Marina in 1996. Energy efficiency improvements included compact fluorescent lamps and replacement of electric stoves, water heaters, furnaces and clothes dryers with propane-fueled appliances.
Natural Bridges National Monument In 1993, the photovoltaic system was down-sized from 100 to 50 kilowatts (kW) with diesel generator backup.The restoration project added 18 kW of new solar modules, replaced the battery bank with standard off-the-shelf batteries and upgraded wiring.
Zion National Park Design features in the Visitor Center and Comfort Station include daylighting, trombe walls for passive solar heating, downdraft cooltowers for natural ventilation cooling, energy-efficient lighting, and advanced building controls.