ARRA Project (WBS)#: LXCAP0520000

Project Title: Solar Electrical System at Historic Site

Index Map Locator #: 23

State: Oregon

Unit: BLM - Medford District

Description:

The Medford District has received funding for solar power projects at two historic recreation sites: Zane Grey Historic Site and the Rogue River Ranch. These two sites are off-grid and rely entirely on renewable energy for their electrical service.

Recovery Act Funding:

The system at Rogue River Ranch would be installed in fiscal year 2009. The system at Zane Grey Historic Site would be installed in fiscal year 2010.

Benefits:

At the Zane Grey Historic Site, a recent acquisition located on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River, is a cabin once belonging to author Zane Grey. Rafters stop at this site and visit the historic cabin where the famous writer lived and worked. The site is powered with a solar system that was designed and installed for single-family residential use. Now the site is undergoing a change in function and will require more power than its existing system currently supplies. Under this project, BLM will define the power requirements and provide solar power that will allow BLM to meet its mission objectives for the site. The Rogue River Ranch, another historic site on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River, relies on hydroelectric, solar, and wind power. The existing solar system is 13 years old and the power inverter is discontinued. Under this project, the power requirements at the Ranch would be reviewed and the solar panels, inverter, and related components of this renewable, off-grid system would be updated.