With a pair of giant scissors, and amid cheers from dozens of children, representatives from the Birmingham Zoo, Alabama Power, Enel Green Power North America, Inc., and TradeWind Energy, Inc., cut a bright red ribbon on May 28 to officially dedicate the zoo’s new solar power education and research project.

The array of 280 solar panels, 150 feet long and 32 feet wide, were installed atop the pergola in the Junior League of Birmingham – Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo. Alabama Power owns the rights to the energy generated from the 56 kilowatt (AC) system and will monitor the system to study its efficiency in real-world conditions. The Birmingham Zoo, in turn, will receive renewable energy certificates from Alabama Power.

The solar system was gifted to the zoo by Kansas-based Buffalo Dunes Wind Project, LLC, and Oklahoma-based Chisholm View Wind Project, LLC. The two projects were developed by TradeWind and are owned and operated by Enel Green Power North America. They are generating wholesale energy for Alabama Power under long-term purchase-power agreements.

Under its agreements, Alabama Power can keep or sell the energy it receives from Buffalo Dunes and Chisholm View, and keep or sell the associated renewable energy certificates – either separately from the energy or as a package. Alabama Power will have the same options with the energy and renewable energy certificates produced by the new solar system at the Birmingham Zoo.

William Foster, the zoo’s president and CEO, praised the partnership that came together to make the solar project a reality. He said the project fits well with the zoo’s mission of energy conservation and sustainability. He said the panels provide other benefits, such as creating a shaded area underneath the pergola for the enjoyment of zoo visitors.

TradeWind representative Justin McGeeney said the project provides a showcase for solar energy and will help educate the community about its potential applications.

David Post, vice president of business Development for Enel Green Power North America, also applauded the close collaboration of the partners. He said the project aligns with the company’s commitment to community service.

As part of the project, Alabama Power installed an educational kiosk where zoo visitors can track how much energy the system is producing, and view information about other Alabama Power renewable research projects around the state.

“This project enables us to educate our customers about solar energy, and to help keep them informed about the evolving technology,” said Bobbie Knight, vice president of the company’s Birmingham Division. She said the project also benefits the Birmingham Zoo, which Alabama Power has supported for many years.