I tagged along with the El Paso Solar Energy Association two nights ago and we got a tour of the new African exhibit (the lions premiere March 13) and a behind-the-scenes preview of their new building: the future house of the meerkats (an animal so interesting it got its own reality show!) and also a mock research station modeled after remote research outposts in Africa.
The exciting part is that the building, called the Kalahari Research Station, will showcase all sorts of renewable energy features. It will have solar panels on the roof, a windmill out front and the EPSEA guys volunteered to build all sorts of fun solar-powered gadgets (solar backpack, solar fountain, etc…).
In addition, Rick LoBello, the zoo’s education director, has a vision to use the building to showcase the type of renewable energy uses that are being introduced in Africa, where photovoltaic panels would be impractical. One of these programs is making briquettes (see photo) for stoves out of compressed trash, including vegetable scraps. LoBello will build a briquette press from plans he received from the Legacy Foundation in Oregon. The second is solar cookers. But I won’t go there, since it’s still a sore subject for me (revisit my solar cooker fiasco here).
Photos of the visit after the break.
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