Solar energy to help power Canyon visitor center

GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA - Energy from the sun will soon provide some of the electricity at the Grand Canyon Visitors Center.

The 18-kilowatt system to be installed by late spring is about twice the size of the largest household systems and will provide about 30 percent of the facilityÂ’s electricity.

That should save the National Park Service about $2,500 a year.

The system is being paid for by Arizona Public Service, which uses money voluntarily paid by its customers for renewable energy projects.

APS renewable energy leader Phil Smithers says the solar power system will help educate about 1 million visitors annually about solar power.

The Grand Canyon Visitors Center near Mather Point lookout is the first viewpoint most travelers encounter when driving to the Grand Canyon.