HIGHLAND -- Hogle Zoo, the Clark Planetarium, the Alta town building and East High School in Salt Lake City -- these are just a few of the renewable energy projects that have recently been built in Utah. Alpine City recently approved residential windmills, and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon plans on using solar panels to power government buildings.

Highland City is exploring the installation of solar panels to power the three public buildings and possibly Town Center Park.

Wind power was also investigated but is more expensive to operate, maintain and install. It is also visible and sometimes noisy. In contrast, the only maintenance solar panels would need is wiping them off once each spring.

According to electrical contractor Doyal Stewart, who installs solar panels, there are actually a lot of homes in Utah County using solar energy, including many cabins. He emphasized that customers not only save money on electricity, but can sell excess power back to the utility company using "net metering."

"Who wouldn't like to lose their power bill forever?" he said.

Highland City is interested in losing the bill, and is investigating federal and local grants for alternative energy. If obtained, a grant from Rocky Mountain Power might cover the entire cost of the system. The grant would be based upon not only the proposed system, but the city's involvement in promoting green energy and residents' participation in the "Blue Sky Program."

There is also an "energy efficiency block grant" available through recent federal legislation that might assist with installation of a system.

"The opportunity to obtain a grant is out there," said Community Development Director Lonnie Crowell. "In that case, if something like this is paid for, that would be a substantial benefit to the city."

He said it would cost about $3,000 to get a specifically engineered plan, which would be needed to apply for a grant. The time required to get a plan might preclude applying for the Rocky Mountain Power grant, but other grants would still be available.

Initial studies indicate that the city could save as much as $1.3 million over a 25-50 year solar panel life. Crowell said that number was calculated assuming that power costs remained constant.

"Obviously, the cost of power will increase," he said, so if the panels were subsidized through grants the savings would be even higher.

The city would also save money with net metering. "Some systems store energy in batteries," Crowell said. "However, in our case it is recommended that we take advantage of the five and a half hours of daily sunlight in Utah. The meter may go backwards and [the city] would be credited that power."

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