Cultural Services Announces Completion of ABQ BioPark Solar Parking Structures

September 19, 2019

Mayor Tim Keller and City of Albuquerque Cultural Services Department are pleased to announce the completion of solar parking structures at the ABQ BioPark Zoo and Aquarium/Botanical Garden. These new solar parking structures provide much needed renewable energy for these facilities and provide shade for visitors.

Mayor Tim Keller recently visited the construction site for the solar parking structures at the BioPark. The structures are now complete.

In addition to solar at these two locations, Mayor Keller has also lead the charge in adding solar to 27 city owned buildings that will all start providing solar power by the end of the year. This represents a $50 million investment with the help of Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs)

"Having solar parking structures at the entrance of the state's most visited destinations shows our continued commitment to having Albuquerque powered by 100% renewable energy," Mayor Keller said.

ABQ BioPark Zoo solar parking structure:

• Will offset 30% of energy used
• 629 kW system capacity
• Equivalent of 25,983 acres of forest preserved per year

ABQ BioPark Aquarium and Botanical Garden solar parking structure:

• Will offset 15% of energy used
• 200kw system capacity
• Eliminates 2.5 tons of carbon emissions per year

Attendance at the ABQ BioPark exceeds one million visitors each year. It consists of the Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden, and Tingley Beach.