Some hope it's not too late for the Palace

Solar panels installed as part of the Salt Palace Convention Center expansion will provide all of the electricity needed to light the convention center's new parking structure.

The Salt Palace Convention Center was expanded largely to keep the environmentally conscious Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City.

So it's only natural that solar power figures prominently in plans to limit the energy-dependence of the expanded facility.

That point was emphasized Tuesday in an official "lighting" ceremony for 104 photovoltaic panels suspended at an angle from the sun-drenched upper south wall of the Salt Palace's new parking terrace. Electricity generated by the panels is expected to keep the 400-stall terrace lighted around the clock.

"Solar power is gaining favor with government, business and developers," said Peter Corroon, mayor of Salt Lake County, which owns the Salt Palace. "As more use the technology, the price comes down and it starts to make even more sense. These 104 solar panels are a start."

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson said the expanded Salt Palace was an ideal place to make a statement in favor of renewable energy because the message will be visible to visitors, as well as locals.

"We wanted something that would show the benefits of clean renewable energy," Anderson said. "With a centralized location, historical significance as a public gathering spot and the commitment of the Outdoor Retailers, one of the largest and most visible conventions in the nation, we naturally thought of the Salt Palace."

Salt Lake County and Rocky Mountain Power made it possible by allocating $100,000 apiece to the project.

Rocky Mountain Power is participating through its Blue Sky renewable energy program, which has more than 18,500 resident and business customers in Utah. Blue Sky electricity is sold in 100 kilowatt-hour increments that cost $1.95 per block, per month more than conventional power.

For an environmentalist such as Sara Baldwin from Utah Clean Energy, the sight of solar panels and the words of the two mayors were reassuring.

"Having a solar array in the heart of the city demonstrates the role solar can play in a clean, sustainable energy future," Baldwin said. "Solar energy technologies are helping to reduce our dependence on finite fossil fuels and leaving a legacy for our children we can all be proud of."