Zoo Adds Solar Panels for Charging Stations, Grid Support

The San Diego Zoo will get solar panels to will provide juice to five electric vehicle charging stations and shade for vehicles, zoo officials and members of Smart City San Diego said.

The panels, expected to provide about 90 kilowatts, will be mounted on 10 canopies in the southeastern section of the parking lot, and any excess electricity will be sold into the region's power grid. The canopies will provide shaded parking for about 50 vehicles.

“As part of our ongoing effort to be a conservation leader, the San Diego Zoo is delighted to be part of a project that sets the stage for the future,” said John Dunlap, director of the San Diego Zoo. “By providing a sustainable energy mechanism at a well-known destination like the zoo, we are not only raising awareness for this technology, but we are making this option available to guests that we host from all over the world.”

Construction is set to begin this fall. The project will be owned and managed by San Diego Gas & Electric's sustainable communities program, which promotes solar energy installations and "green" building design and construction.

Smart City San Diego is comprised of city of San Diego, SDG&E, General Electric, UC San Diego and CleanTECH San Diego.

– City News Service