Kachina Bridge 3. Owachomo Bridge 4. Solar Power Array 5. Sipapu Bridge Solar Power at Natural Bridges Electricity at Natural Bridges National Monument is produced from the sun. Solar cells convert sunlight to electricity through a process called photovoltaics, a word meaning electricity from light.
Excess power is stored in batteries for later use.
While only 10 percent of the sun's energy striking the PV cell is converted to electricity, the many cells that comprise the PV array produce up to 50 kilowatts of power. That is more than enough electricity to supply the needs of the small community of National Park Service personnel, their families and you, the public. The PV array is located on an acre of land across the road from the visitor center. A short path from the west side of the visitor center parking area leads to a viewing platform. Here, with a push of a button, an audio message explains the photovoltaic process.