Harrah's Rincon Casino Uses Solar Energy to Power AC

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The Harrah's Rincon Casino is using energy from a nearby solar farm to power its air-conditioning system, reports SignOnSanDiego.com.

The tribally-owned casino's 1-megawatt plant is expected to supply about 90 percent of the power required by the new AC unit.

The $8-million solar project, claimed as the largest solar power system on a local Indian reservation, was part of the resort's cooling system retrofit that entailed replacing electric AC units on the roof with a central system, according to the article.

Other energy-efficiency measures implemented by the resort include a solar-heated pool, energy-efficient lighting, and refrigerators in guest rooms that only turn on when needed to cool something.

In addition to the energy savings, the lighting retrofit delivered about $500,000 in incentives from San Diego Gas & Electric, and the entire solar project may yield $4.5 million in incentive payments from the California Solar Initiative, reports the Website.

The resort didn't qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit for renewable projects because the tribe doesn't pay federal taxes.

Environment + Energy Leader