Elk Country Solar

KECA Campus Expansion

In 2021, the Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA) developed a $1.3M Guest Enhancement Experience Master Plan for the Elk Country Visitor and Education Center in Benezette, PA.  As part of the plan, KECA planned to construct a new 2,200 sq. ft. outdoor classroom to increase their overall visitation and educational programming. WPEF provided co-funding for a Solar Innovation glass wall and solar PV systems. The Solar Innovation glass wall system is a SI3252 series top load out folding thermally broken glass wall system. Two glass wall systems are installed on the building’s front and two systems on the building’s rear. The folding glass wall systems enable the building to open its front and rear doors for visitors to experience the great outdoors while inside.  The solar PV system is a roof mounted, grid-tied 24.3 kW DC, grid-tied solar PV system.  The solar PV system is comprised of 60 VSUN black 405-watt modules and 60 Enphase IQ8+ microinverters.  The solar PV system was energized on September 9, 2024.

Impact

Projected solar production of 29.1 MWh/ yr.

Conservation programs reach 40,000+ students/yr.

500,000+ visitors/yr.