The Wilderness Center-Arnold Fritz Solar Array

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The Wilderness Center’s Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System

How you can help TWC focus on its mission, not its energy bill

• TWC believes that using renewable energy is part of its mission to conserve natural resources
• Investing in solar energy now will reduce TWC’s energy costs long term
• TWC will demonstrate the practical uses of solar energy and educate people about how solar energy works

     Thanks to a generous grant from the Daniel M. And Maureen O. Gunn Foundation, The Wilderness Center is installing a solar photovoltaic (electrical) system.  With the permission of the Gunn Foundation, the project is being dedicated to one of TWC’s founders, Arnold Fritz, retired professor of biology at Malone University.  Mr. Fritz was a driving force behind the creation of The Wilderness Center in 1964.  He has been a proponent of sustainable energy for many years.

     The system’s array will be built into a big part of TWC’s overflow parking area where it will add shaded parking spaces.  The array will be installed by Dovetail Solar and Wind, an Ohio-based company with 16 years experience in renewable energy system design, installation and green building.

     The system is expected to produce approximately 84,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, providing more than 80% of the Hart Interpretive Building’s electrical needs each year.  According to Dovetail Solar and Wind, this part of Ohio averages about 4 hours of sunlight per day, over a one-year period – an amount sufficient to operate the system. The system will produce some electricity even on cloudy days.

     TWC’s system will have net metering, permitting any excess power generated to be fed back into the local grid, causing TWC’s electric meter to turn more slowly or even backward. 

     TWC’s system will be grid-tied, meaning we will use electricity from the electric company during the times when the solar panels are not producing energy.  TWC will be provided credit for its surplus by American Electrical Power.  At nights, TWC will draw on utility company power just like now.

       TWC will also be creating a display and other teaching materials to explain how solar power works and its benefits.

     The Gunn Foundation grant made the installation possible, but The Wilderness Center still needs to raise another $45,000 to completely pay for this project.  TWC is asking members and friends of the center to help support the project by donating the cost of a solar panel. 

You can donate a whole panel for $400, a half panel for $200, a quarter panel for $100 or simply make a donation in any amount you wish.  Your tax deductable contribution will be recognized on a special display that will be created specifically for TWC’s PV system.

   Over 25 years the array will keep 1,574 tons of CO2 out of the air-the equivalent to 27 acres of trees planted or 5,121,123 miles not driven.

Donate an entire Solar Panel                          

$400.00

Donate a half a Solar Panel

$200.00

Donate a quarter of a Solar Panel

$100

Choose your own donation amount

in $10 increments ie: $20 is 2- $10 amounts, $30 is 3-$10 amounts, $50 is 5-$10 amounts