West coast theme park fans are now riding on sunshine at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, because since late last year the Northern California attraction has been getting the majority of its energy from a new solar power-generating parking lot.
The new installation at Discovery Kingdom consists of a 7.5 megawatt photvoltaic carport built over the main guest parking lot, which produces 11.9 million kilowatt hours of energy annually. The project will offset 8,400 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents each year, which is the same as taking 1,800 cars off the road, and the park will be able to offset 80% of its energy usage with solar power.
Over 360 individuals were employed in association with the construction of the project, which made Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is the first theme park on the West Coast powered by solar energy, and home to one of the largest solar carport installations in the country.
Working in partnership with sPower and Borrego Solar Systems, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom made the official switch to green power at a special event to kick off the park’s 2019 Holiday in the Park, which was the first to be powered by renewable energy. The event included remarks by Congressman Mike Thompson and Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan, who flipped the giant, ceremonial switch, officially flipping the park to solar energy, and turning on millions of twinkling lights.
For more information, visit sixflags.com, and watch these videos from Discovery Kingdom:
