Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles will soon be home to California’s largest solar energy project.
The park is installing a new 12.37-megawatt solar carport over the main parking lot in partnership with Solar Optimum and DSD Renewables.
Six Flags Magic Mountain announced the new solar facility in 2018. It will produce 20.8 million kilowatt hours of energy annually, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption of 2,874 homes.
The solar power produced will offset 100 percent of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s energy usage. The facility will be the largest single-site commercial renewable energy project in California, Six Flags said in a press release.
“Six Flags’ commitment to clean energy is the type of work that will power our future and ensure our kids have a healthy planet to call home,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“This is a thrilling day for Six Flags as we advance our commitment to environmental stewardship, substantially increasing solar power generation capacity at our parks,” added Jason Freeman, Six Flags’ VP of operations, public safety, engineering and maintenance.
“Six Flags has placed a high priority on efforts to improve and protect the environment, leading the way for theme park companies around the world and capturing the attention of other private organizations that also have the power to drive solar projects.”
Six Flags is the world’s largest regional theme park company, with 27 sites across the US, Mexico and Canada.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California and Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey are also developing solar power systems
California’s largest solar energy project
“Using their parking lot for solar canopies will not only offset 100 percent of the park’s energy use, it will also provide the added benefit of shaded parking for customers,” said Danielle Fidel, DSD’s senior director, developer network.
“As utility prices inevitably increase, these projects reduce costs, decrease their carbon footprint, and ultimately provide more value to the customer with much desired shade,” said Arno Aghamalian, Solar Optimum’s CEO and founder.
Elsewhere, Disneyland Paris has started building the final phase of the largest solar canopy plant in Europe. Efteling is installing an additional 12,000 solar panels.
greenloop, blooloop’s third sustainability in visitor attractions conference, is taking place online on 25 and 26 April.
