Killington in Vermont, once one of the world’s largest consumers of power due to its large arsenal of over 1,000 snow guns as well as its extensive lift network, is to take another step to reducing its power consumption – which it already offsets by purchasing 100% green energy.
The resort has announced that two solar energy harnessing arrays are to be built this summer, firstly a 100-kilowatt array to be installed on the roof of its Pico Base Lodge and second a ground-based system is to be created in a parking area also at the resort’s Pico area.
Between them the two arrays will produce 560 kilowatt hours of green power. Killington also invests in solar energy produced by larger green energy suppliers in Vermont.
Other new green developments at Killington include the creation of three Tesla car charging stations, adding to a number of electric car charging points the resort has been installing since 2014.
Killington has been a major player in the effort to convert to green energy on the eastern side of North America over the years. Initiatives include ‘cow powered’ gondola lifts which a completely local form of renewable energy made in Vermont from energy generated from manure from local dairy farms which also reduces greenhouse emissions produced by cows.
In a pioneering move since 2007 Killington has also converted 12 walk-in coolers to Freeaire Refrigeration.
Freeaire is a Vermont-based company which installs systems that use cold, outside air to refrigerate coolers instead of using high energy consuming compressors to cool stored food. Retrofitting all the coolers has greatly reduced energy usage and has reduced CO2 emissions by 13.2 tons a year.
“Climate change is real and we are committed to renewable energy sources,” Tracy Taylor, business development and special projects manager told local media.