This project is located at the visitor center. The current building holds fewer than 12 visitors at one time, and there is not enough space to interpret the park's three primary and one secondary interpretive themes. The AuSable Lighthouse project will allow the park to install a PV array system for power usage. Sandia's design and technical assistance were instrumental in the selection of the solar array design. The machines are currently being built and should be available in December 2000.
Funding is in place for the demonstration portion of the project.
Initial design has been done for the Bechler and Lewis Lake sites. The Lamar site will be operational in October 1999. The Lamar project is in an area without commercial power and serves a ranger station and environmental education center. The visibility of the project, in concert with education, should make this a showcase. This project would line two ponds with bentonite clay, set a holding tank, and install solar pumping and buried pipe to recirculate the water.