DRAPER, Utah- The Utah National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jeff Burton and Gov. Gary Herbert will be switching the switch for solar-energy savings at a ceremony Wednesday at the Utah Guard's headquarters here.
The Utah National Guard's energy-creation program includes solar and wind power. On the roof of the Guard's headquarters building are more than 1,400 new solar panels that will be switched on at the ceremony.
"We are very proud of this, and all of our green energy projects," said Burton. "We seek to be good stewards of our precious resources and will continue as an organization to seek innovative ways to conserve and reduce our footprint."
This solar project is one of 10 that are scheduled to be completed this year and are estimated to save more than $10 million over the next 20 years. The installation of solar panels in Draper will be equivalent to powering nearly 50 homes. The Utah National Guard and the State of Utah are leading the way in increasing energy efficiency, reducing energy costs and improving the environment and air quality in Utah.
"These renewable-energy sites will produce electricity for critical functions in our facilities," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Swihart, nationwide energy-program manager for the Army National Guard. Solar projects were funded cooperatively with grants from National Guard Bureau and Rocky Mountain Power and additional funding from the State of Utah's Division of Facilities Construction and Management. The solar project was installed by SolarCity, the nation's largest solar power provider.