Aspen Skiing Installs Largest Solar Photovoltaic Array in the Ski Industry
By Heather Hansman, June 29,2007
Source: Freeskier magazine
http://www.freeskier.com/freeskier/news.php?news_id=1114
The unfortunate truth is that without winter there would be no skiing. Most major ski resorts are beginning to grasp that concept and, in turn, are working towards the sustainability of the ski industry. Aspen Skiing Company, owner of 4 resorts in the Aspen area, has always been at the forefront of the green movement. They run an Environmental Foundation, which is internally funded and operated, all of their snowcats run partially on biodiesel, and half of their electricity is generated by wind power.
Most recently they installed the largest solar energy system in the ski industry. The 10.64 kWh photovoltaic array, installed on the roof of the Thunder River Lodge employee housing complex in Carbondale, CO will create 15.000 kWh a year, and will provide up to a third of the power for the complex. It is more that 4 times bigger than the next largest one in the ski industry, which is located at Aspen Highlands, and is also owned by the Aspen Skiing Company.
ASC has big plans for future solar power installations. They are installing a 4kWh system in another employee housing complex in Aspen, and their Environmental Foundation is supporting two additional solar projects in the town of Carbondale. Solar power is an effective, visible reminder of how important conservation, and the use of renewable resources is becoming.