Garden City to Install Smart Flower Solar System at Lee Richardson Zoo

A solar flower will soon be planted in the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City.  The project is an effort of the City of Garden City Electric Department along with in-kind donations made by 3G Electric, Robert Dunlap Construction, and Hutton Construction, who are working together to provide the underground electric requirements and the concrete foundation necessary for the Smart Flower solar system.
Nicknamed the Solar Flower, the device provides approximately 2,500 watts of power to help offset some of the zoo’s energy needs. The life expectancy of the Solar Flower is 25 years and will generate a total of 125,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) during that time, or 5,000 kWh per year.
Mimicking a blooming flower, it automatically opens its circular array of solar panels and tracks the sun throughout the day for maximum exposure. It is designed to close in case of threatening weather to protect the solar panels, such as wind speeds over 30 miles-per-hour. When closed, small brushes clean the panels to ensure dust and other particles don’t decrease efficiency.
It is believed that Garden City will be the first to have a Solar Flower in the state of Kansas. In addition to providing a renewable energy source, the Lee Richardson Zoo will be sharing with guests what solar power can do and how it can look thanks to the Solar Flower.