The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has made significant strides in incorporating solar panels into its operations to achieve sustainability goals. From the Euclid Avenue Solar Array to the Vine Street Solar Canopy, the zoo is leading the way in renewable energy initiatives.
Euclid Avenue Solar Array (2024)
The Euclid Avenue Solar Array is a 2.8 MW solar project that will be installed in the zoo’s Euclid Avenue parking lot. This array will not only provide shade for cars and buses but also generate power for the zoo and its neighbors. Once completed, this project will help the zoo surpass its net zero energy goals by 2025, with two-thirds of the zoo’s electrical needs coming from its parking lots.
Vine Street Solar Canopy (2011)
The Vine Street Solar Canopy is a 1.56 MW solar project located in the zoo’s Vine Street parking lot. This array converts sunlight into usable clean energy, producing about 20% of the zoo’s needed energy. The Vine Street Solar Canopy has a significant impact, reducing 1,775 tons of CO2 emissions annually and providing $1.3 million in savings over 30 years.
Warren County Solar Farm
The Cincinnati Zoo has also partnered with a 30 MW solar farm in Warren County. This large-scale solar project generates renewable energy for companies in the region, helping them reach their sustainability goals. The Warren County Solar Farm has additional features, including the introduction of grazing sheep to maintain soil health and the planting of five acres of pollinator habitat around the solar array.
Community Solar Resiliency Program (CSRP)
The Cincinnati Zoo’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its own operations. The zoo’s Community Solar Resiliency Program (CSRP) shares the benefits of solar power with the local community by installing solar arrays at churches, community centers, and schools. This program donates 165 kW of extra panels to support local sustainability initiatives.
International Solar Project
The Cincinnati Zoo’s sustainability efforts reach even further, with an international solar project in Kenya. The zoo has partnered with the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) for over a decade to achieve shared coexistence goals. As part of this partnership, the zoo has provided a much-needed source of renewable energy for the SORALO community.
Zoo Hours and Sustainability
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the zoo’s diverse exhibits and learn about its sustainability initiatives. The zoo is dedicated to achieving net zero energy by 2025, and its solar projects are a significant step towards this goal.
In conclusion, the Cincinnati Zoo’s solar initiatives demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and community engagement. From the Euclid Avenue Solar Array to the international solar project in Kenya, the zoo is leading the way in renewable energy and environmental stewardship.
Reference:
– Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
– Cincinnati Zoo Sustainability
– Cincinnati Zoo Solar Projects