Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Friday joined state park and other DCNR officials in a visit to a solar array recently installed at Caledonia State Park in Franklin County.

A 1.74 kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted array with battery storage will help provide power for a restroom building at the park.

“Using clean energy from the sun, DCNR is deploying small scale solar arrays to take certain buildings and facilities off the grid, saving money and reducing the department’s carbon footprint,” Dunn said.

By the end of this year, DCNR’s solar installations should:

-- Save more than $30,000/year on electric;

-- Reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 160 tons/year (the average car emits 6 tons per year); and

-- Reduce energy consumption by 220,000 kilowatt hours/year (the average American home uses 10,812 kWh per year)

The secretary’s visit to Caledonia concluded a fall “Driving Toward Sustainability” tour in which DCNR is highlighted the Wolf Administration’s commitment not only solar energy, but also to high-performing, energy efficient buildings at the new Buchanan State Forest headquarters in Fulton County Wednesday; and commitment to efficiency of fleet vehicles with a visit to charging stations for the department’s newly added electric vehicles in Harrisburg Thursday.

Other planned or installed solar arrays in state parks include:

-- Presque Isle State Park, Erie County – A ground-mounted array for the Tom Ridge Environmental Center was completed September 2016, which will result in a savings of $1,200/year and a reduction of 8 tons of carbon dioxide/year

-- Fort Washington State Park, Montgomery County – A ground-mounted array should reduce 20 tons of carbon dioxide/year and allow the park to operate at net zero energy consumption

-- Moraine State Park, Butler County -- A103 kW ground-mounted array will supply 50 percent of the sewage treatment plant’s energy reducing 64 tons of carbon dioxide/year

-- Scenic View at Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset County – A ground-mounted array aims to reduce 68 tons of carbon dioxide/year

The 1,125-acre Caledonia State Park is in Adams and Franklin counties, offering many opportunities for recreation including camping, hiking, fishing, as well as summer stock theater at the historic Totem Pole Playhouse.

Click Here to find more information on sustainable practices on DCNR lands.  Click Here to watch a short video about DCNR’s sustainable practices.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

NewsClips:

Survey Will Point Way For Future Of PA’s Park System

DCNR Gets Input On State Park System

Solar Panels Shining On Washington High Stadium

PECO: No $45K Bill For Homeowner To Connect Solar

Related Stories:

DCNR Kicks Off Driving Toward Sustainability Tour At New Buchanan State Forest HQ In Fulton County

DCNR Names Weiser State Forest HQ After Fmr Sen. Edward Helfrick In Columbia County

[Posted: Oct. 13, 2017]

10/16/2017