Project overview
Salt Lake City’s Tracy Aviary has long been a leader in education about the natural world, and a proponent of clean energy as part of conservation. They decided that their third solar installation should be uncommonly visible and compelling. So, they put a solar tree right among visitors and birds at the most popular exhibit – the flamingo habitat! They made big and bright and fun – Spotlight Solar Lift structures in pink.
This solar tree installation will be seen by 150,000 visitors per year, up close and highly memorable. The ribbon cutting event brought two mayors and the press into the shade of clean energy technology, and landed it on the front page of both local city papers, reaching 200,000 people.
Creative Energies is the well-named solar integrator who conceived of the placement, championed the idea, and got it done with excellence. They are a pleasure to work with. Rocky Mountain Power co-sponsored this project with a grant from their Blue Sky Fund.
We appreciate Tracy Aviary’s leaders, who had the vision to bring their flamingos a novel solar system, and the courage to challenge convention. We also love the theme they used: Pink is the New Green. The Aviary is serious about conservation and solar, but knows that making it fun is a great way to build interest.
Specifications
Solar structures -- Lift in pink (2)
Energy stewardship -- 2 rooftop solar systems, 2 LEED Gold buildings
Location -- flamingo habitat
Exposure -- 150,000 annual visitors
Certified Integrator: Creative Energies
Press, impact
Flamingos show off solar to 130,000 visitors
Salt Lake news article and video
2 mayors attended dedication; 2 front page features
“We are proud to be able to introduce this innovative approach to creating solar energy,” said Tim Brown, executive director of Tracy Aviary. “These solar trees directly align with our conservation and education mission. Thanks to Rocky Mountain Power, Spotlight Solar, and Creative Energies, we are able to educate people about solar power in a unique and very visual way.”
