Xanterra Parks and Resorts
The Challenge
Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the largest national and state park concessioner in the United States. Several years ago the company made a commitment to begin systematically measuring and reducing its impact on the environment, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility within the tourism industry. The company established aggressive 2015 Environmental Vision Goals, including reducing fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2015.
The Solution
SPG Solar designed and installed a 1.2 Megawatt peak (1 Megawatt AC) SunSeeker® single-axis tracking PV system in a secluded date palm grove surrounded by the Furnace Creek Golf Course. 144 of the mature palm trees were carefully relocated to make room for the PV system while preserving their historical value to the resort.
The solar system includes 5,740 Sharp solar modules covering five acres of land and two SatCon 500-watt inverters. It generates almost two million kWh of electricity per year. Because Death Valley is so sunny year-round and the SunSeeker® tracks the sun throughout the day, this system provides higher energy production than traditional fixed-tilt arrays and will equal one-third of the electricity required to power the Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch Resort.
Noteworthy Achievements
- This unique system is the largest installed in a National Park, and the only installed below sea level (-220 Feet).*
- Largest solar system for the US Department of the Interior.*
- US Department of the Interior – National Park Service Environmental Achievement Award
The Benefits
- Xanterra benefitted from a combination of Federal tax credits and California state solar rebates which will help offset a significant portion of the system’s cost.
- With a typical lifespan of 40+ years, Xanterra’s flagship solar system will help reduce operating expenses and strengthen its reputation as an international leader in sustainable operations.
The Green Line
The solar energy generated at Xanterra’s Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch Resort will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 35 percent at Death Valley, and by four percent companywide. The system will prevent over 29,000 tons of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide from being released into the atmosphere by fossil-fueled power plants over the 25 year warranted life of the solar modules. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this is equivalent to removing more than 5,100 cars from the road or planting over 8,000 acres of greenhouse gas absorbing trees.
*At time of completion.