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Renewable Energy: Solar Energy: DNR Solar Program:
Monte Cristo
Snow-Cat Shed
The Utah Division of Parks and Recreation (DPR) grooms trails for snowmobiles
in the Monte Cristo area, east of Huntsville, Utah. To facilitate grooming,
DPR built a snow-cat shed for storage and maintenance of the snow-cats
that are used for grooming the trails.
There is no utility power at the site, and for the first year of operation, a portable generator was used.
In late 2001, a photovoltaic (PV) system was installed. The PV system is used to power lights and power tools. In the future, the building may be used by the county sheriff for search and rescue missions.
The PV array is mounted on the snow-cat shed. The array is mounted at a steep angle (close to vertical) to increase electricity output in the winter and to promote shedding of the snow.
There are two charge controllers and two inverters. The inverters have a combined capacity of 8,000 watts and can run both 120 volt and 240 volt loads.
System Specifications
Solar Array Rated Output |
1,800 watts |
Inverter Capacity |
8,000 watts |
Battery Capacity |
850 amp-hours |
DC Nominal Voltage |
48 volts |
AC Nominal Voltage |
120/240 volts |
Year installed |
2001 |
Cost |
$38,540 (equipment only) |
Annual Savings |
$15,600 (equipment only, the batteries were donated from another state park) |