Bogus Basin continues clean energy commitment with solar installation

As part of its commitment to implement clean energy initiatives, an Idaho ski resort has installed solar panels that would power the equivalent of three homes for a year.

Bogus Basin recently worked with Boise-based EGT Solar to install 71 solar panels on the roof of its Rental Shop that will generate 32 MWh of electricity each year, supplying 70% of the shop’s annual power needs.

The 71 panels were part of a 210 Risen 405-watt panel donation by Clēnera, which also donated a 40-foot Conex shipping container to store the remaining panels until Bogus Basin installs them in other locations at the resort. Bogus stated that Clēnera’s donations totaled more than $55,000 in goods and services.

EGT Solar also donated $10,000 in labor to install the panels on the Rental Shop. EGT and Clēnera weren’t the only businesses to assist in the project. According to the resort, “PLATT Electric provided much of the essential electrical wiring and hardware, with additional support from Codale and CED. Sungrow, a company partnered with Clēnera, contributed the system’s inverters — critical components for converting solar energy into usable power. The project was further supported by a $10,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to assist in advancing Bogus Basin’s ongoing sustainability efforts.”

Rob Black, the CEO of EGT Solar, lauded the collaboration.

“When organizations come together with shared values and a vision for the future, real progress happens — and our team is proud to have contributed time, resources, and expertise to be a part of that change,” he said. “We look forward to building on this momentum and supporting Bogus Basin’s future solar initiatives.”

A previous solar project at the nonprofit resort that was installed 21 years ago and helped provide light to its Nordic trails was no longer viable and a new, larger solar system was conceived. Bogus Basin board member Alan Russell, who is also the senior engineer at Clēnera, connected the two organizations to shape the sustainable system.

Looking ahead, Bogus Basin is considering its Frontier Point Nordic Center and Pioneer Lodge as sites for the next phases for solar panel installations. Project members are also looking at possible standalone arrays and off-grid systems that would support mountain operations, it said.

“What’s really cool about this, and with many of our other sustainability projects, is how there are so many community partners involved,” said Nate Collins, the sustainability and stewardship coordinator for Bogus Basin. “Our hope is to continue this community-based collaborative approach for future projects and welcome other organizations and volunteers who want to partner on the next phases.”