Blue Sky community projects

Over 50 percent of the energy used by Bluffdale City’s two fire stations and city hall is powered by a Blue Sky solar project.

Made possible by a $281,826 grant from Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky customers, the project’s 500 solar panels are expected to save the city $20,000 per year in energy costs.

“Blue Sky enabled us to install these panels and achieve our goal of moving toward renewable power, while also saving money in energy costs,” said Derk Timothy, Bluffdale mayor. “Because solar energy has very little to no maintenance cost, the city will benefit for years to come.”

The project includes solar arrays on Bluffdale City Hall and Fire Station 91 and 92 and has the equivalent emissions reductions impact as taking 36 vehicles off the road.

“We are excited to be a part of a program that helps preserve the environment and conserve resources for future generations,” said Bluffdale City Manager Mark Reid. “We appreciate Blue Sky customers for helping to make this happen.”

Christian Center of Park City installed a new 81-panel solar array, which was made possible by a $44,000 grant from Blue Sky customers.

CCPC, a humanitarian community resource center that helps improve the lives of people and communities through meeting immediate and basic needs, serves as a leading networker of community resources and offers counseling and care support. The organization is expected to save more than $3,000 per year in energy costs.

“That money can be redirected to offer new learning kitchen opportunities for our food pantry clients, mental wellness services through our counseling center, and winter clothes, jackets and gear for local low-income kids,” said Rob Harter, executive director of CCPC. “Blue Sky customers have played a part in enabling us to do more for our community, and we are thankful.”

Eighty-five percent of the Community of Grace Presbyterian Church's energy usage now comes from the sun. The 110-panel solar array will yield the church over $7,000 annually in energy savings.

Made possible by a $63,183 grant from Blue Sky customers, the project enables funding from energy savings to be repurposed for community-based outreach programs.

“This grant has enabled us to generate renewable energy in a visibly creative way that serves not just our congregation but also many Sandy community groups that make use of our church facility almost daily,” said Jeffrey Schreiber, Community of Grace Presbyterian Church leader. “We are so excited and grateful to Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky program customers.”

The church is the first location among the 22 Presbyterian churches in the Utah-Idaho area to switch to solar energy and embody its commitment to environmental stewardship.

The North Sanpete Middle School received $576,224 to build a 206 kilowatt solar array as well as a 32 kilowatt-hour battery storage system and electric vehicle charging station. The battery system will be charged using excess solar power during the day and help meet the school’s energy needs when the sun isn’t shining.

The North Sanpete School District is already leading the way for students to learn more about renewable energy and technology. District schools already have some small solar panels. The middle school and high school have extracurricular “Greenpower” electric car teams where students work on electric cars for sanctioned electric car competitions. The school district is also planning to add courses to teach students how to install and test solar panels.

“We consider the solar and battery project to be an important part of our STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – educational efforts,” said Dr. Samuel Ray, North Sanpete School District Superintendent of Schools. “We want our students to be on the cutting edge of technology and renewable energy.”

In 2015, Park City Fire District installed a 32.8-kilowatt solar project atop the administration and logistics buildings. The solar array will generate about 45,000 kilowatt-hours of emissions-free energy each year. 

Generating power on-site helps the district reduce its operating costs, allowing the department to expand public safety and training programs.

The Southwest Applied Technology College is a leader in the community and state for training solar and wind technicians. Students were involved in the installation of a 32.1-kilowatt installation atop SWATC’s main campus building. 

Syracuse Arts Academy is a K-4 public charter school in northern Utah that serves 550 students from Davis and Salt Lake Counties.

The school's 10-kilowatt, 40-module solar project helps demonstrate sustainability and renewable energy for students, faculty and the community.

Tracy Aviary, the oldest and largest public aviary in the United States, combines art and renewable energy with two, 20-foot “solar trees.”  Each bright pink “tree” features 24 solar panels which serve the dual purpose of producing renewable energy and shading the flamingo exhibit.  With more than 125,000 visitors per year, the solar trees serve as a highly visible demonstration of new ways to incorporate solar energy into our surroundings.

Utah Transit Authority installed 288 solar panels atop four stations along the North Temple Airport TRAX line, thanks to the support of Blue Sky customers. 

Together, the four 16-kilowatt installations generate about 90,000 kilowatt-hours annually, which is enough energy to power the LED lighting, ticketing machines and daily operations at the stations.

Each of the four platforms includes a monitoring system that shows the real-time energy generation of the system and educates the public about how solar energy works.

Weilenmann School of Discovery is a K-8 public charter school that emphasizes an appreciation of nature and the outdoors. The school demonstrates their commitment to the environment and conservation through the 20-kilowatt solar array installation.

The school incorporates information about solar energy into the curriculum for all grade levels and subjects, with special emphasis in their science program. 

YCC Family Crisis Center's 204 rooftop solar panels are expected to save more than $6,000 for the center each year. These funds can be redirected to providing shelter, crisis intervention and care services for the more than 41,000 individuals they assist each year.

The Downtown Clinic completed a renewable energy project that will allow the center to make a larger impact on the community.

The Laramie nonprofit, which provides services to those in the community without access to healthcare, is now being powered by the sun.

Made possible by a $33,675 grant from Blue Sky customers, the 25-panel solar array offsets 98 percent of the clinic’s energy usage. The project also includes Wyoming’s first Blue Sky battery storage system that will keep medical supplies, such as vaccines, properly stored during an emergency.

“This project has allowed us to save money and provide more services to our clients,” said Pete Gosar, Downtown Clinic executive director. “This means more emergency dental services, more vision exams, and more prescription medicines for families in need. We are extremely thankful.”

The clinic reports that the cost savings generated each year is equivalent to over 200 prescription medications, 20 eye exams or the costs of 60 primary care visits. 

The 10.6 kilowatt solar project provides energy to the Meals on Wheels nonprofit facility in Casper. The facility hosts free, quarterly workshops and tours showcasing renewable energy for area residents.

The nonprofit outdoor school is dedicated to teaching environmental ethics, technical outdoor skills and leadership on backcountry expeditions around the world. 

The school's solar arrays are installed at its administrative building, international headquarters and Noble Hotel.

Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport serves area travelers and supports nearly 17,000 aircraft operations each year. The airport received $94,216 in Blue Sky funds to build a 30 kilowatt solar array on the new General Aviation Terminal and Hangar Facility.

“This solar array will provide our leadership and staff with a sense of pride for years to come,” said Devon Brubaker, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport Manager. “This pride will be demonstrated not only to visitors to the airport but also at all community events held at the airport.”

In 2015, the University of Wyoming completed the installation of a new solar carport structure adjacent to the War Memorial Stadium. 

This project is the third at the university to receive funding from Blue Sky customers. Other renewable energy projects are installed at Bim Kendall House and University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service in Casper. 

Besides helping the university offset energy costs, the renewable projects help educate students and the community about solar and wind energy. 

Consolidated Irrigation Company (CIC), based in Preston, Idaho, undertook a major effort to pipe their irrigation ditch to correct seepage problems. As a part of the piping project, CIC installed a low-impact hydroelectric power system to capture the energy of water moving through the irrigation pipe.

In 2015, CIC completed installation of a 481-kilowatt generator. The generator feeds power directly into Rocky Mountain Power’s electric system and helps keep costs low for the nonprofit irrigation network. The project location provides great exposure to local schools and visitors to the nearby Glendale Reservoir.

The Idaho Wind for Schools program installed wind turbines at Midway Middle School and Rigby High School, giving students a hands-on math and science learning opportunity to incorporate into the schools’ renewable energy programs.

Generation data is monitored and shared with other schools.

Live monitoring:

• Midway Middle School
• Rigby Senior High School