Aspen Funds Solar Power

CARBONDALE, CO – July 3, 2008 – The largest solar array in the ski/snowboard industry – and the largest array in Western Colorado – was celebrated Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS), in Carbondale, Colo., about 30 miles northwest of Aspen/Snowmass.

Click here to see pictures from the ceremony.

Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) funded the installation of the 150kW system, which will produce 200,000 kWh annually (enough power for 20 average American homes) and keep 400,000 lbs of carbon dioxide out of the air each year. The array will power the CRMS science building and excess energy will feed into the town of Carbondale’s power grid.

This was not your traditional ski/snowboard industry event as hundreds gathered to hear Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Senator Ken Salazar, and ASC owner Jim Crown speak about the importance of alternative energy and the new energy economy of Colorado.

ASC’s President and CEO Mike Kaplan was the master of ceremonies and anticipated that this would be the “first drop” in a downpour of alternative energy initiatives statewide.

While the project was funded by ASC and the land donated by CRMS, the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) and the town of Carbondale played essential roles in making this project come to fruition.

Aspen Skiing Company is considered a leader in sustainable business practices. Details on their programs are available at www.aspensnowmass.com/environment.

Also visit http://www.skinet.com/photogallery.jsp?ID=1000022013 to learn more about Aspen’s commitment to the environment.