Denver-based Bella Energy has completed the largest solar array in Utah – a 1.65 megawatt solar array atop the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.
The company said the project covers 3.85 acres of rooftop and is currently the largest solar photovoltaic system on the Rocky Mountain Power’s electric grid.
“This is a monumental achievement by all the parties involved,” said Jim Welch, chief executive of Bella Energy.
The 6,006 solar modules will produce an estimated 2.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity in its first year, covering approximately 17 percent of the Salt Palace’s annual electrical usage.
Project development began in 2010. Construction began in December 2011 and took about six months to complete.
Financing the 1.65 megawatt project was achieved by using a mix of grants, bonds, and public and private capital.
Bella Energy said the project is one of the first solar projects in the nation to utilize the New Market Tax Credit.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com or twitter@HowardPankratz
