Solar panel array Photo by Dean Rhine 9/30/2010, Ohio River Islands NWR - Photo Credit: n/a

Display monitor for solar project in visitor lobby Photo by Janet Butler 9/30/2010, Ohio River Islands NWR - Photo Credit: n/a

The solar panel arrays are to the left of the refuge headquarters building. Photo by Dean Rhine 9/30/2010, Ohio River Islands NWR - Photo Credit: n/a

Solar power is the latest "green" improvement at the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge with the recent installation of a 42-panel system outside refuge headquarters. Arranged in seven arrays of six solar panels on pedestals, the project adds to the refuge's energy-conservation efforts which also include a geo-thermal heating and cooling system in the Energy Star-rated administration and visitor building.

A "cool" interpretive feature of the solar project includes a monitoring system that allows visitors to see the benefits to the refuge and the environment. Among other available data, a monitor in the visitor lobby displays the cumulative CO² avoided in pounds, the amount of energy generated in kwh, and the monetary savings based on the local electrical rate. The system updates itself automatically on a daily basis. Anyone wanting to track the system from home can log onto http://www.sunnyportal.com/Templates/PublicPagesPlantList.aspx. Type in "Ohio River Islands" for Plant Name, select "United States" for country, and provide the zip code "26187." This will bring you to the refuge's plant profile page. From there you can navigate to several featured pages, including "Energy and Power," the screen we typically display in the visitor lobby.