Natural Bridges National Monument Solar Power System

Natural Bridges solar power station

Natural Bridges National Monument Solar Power System is an experimental electrical power plant at the Natural Bridges National Monument in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Utah. It consists of 256,812 solar cells arranged in 12 rows, each measuring 200 feet (61 m) long. Direct current energy from the array is converted to alternating current at an equipment building, then supplied to the park's staff buildings and visitor center. Excess energy is stored in a bank of batteries that is used on cloudy days. The system is controlled by computers and creates fewer emissions than the diesel generators that it replaced.

When it was dedicated in June 1980 by the Utah Governor, it was the world's largest solar plant at 100 kW. The solar power station was later downsized to 50 kW and supplemented with a diesel generator backup system which allowed the solar array to operate more efficiently.


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