A ski area in California will be going 100% solar this winter, it has been revealed

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows ski area in California has announced that all of its electricity will be purchased from Liberty Utilities’ nearby solar generation plant in Luning, Nevada, making the resort’s electricity supply 100% renewable.

The move, which begins on December 1st, follows California Public Utilities Commission approved Liberty Utilities’ application for a Green Tariff in July, allowing local customers to purchase renewable electricity for their homes or businesses at a nominal price per kilowatt hour – the proceeds of which Liberty Utilities uses to develop new renewable energy projects.

By signing on to the Green Tariff, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will become Liberty’s largest Green Tariff customer. The area will be contributing approximately $325,000 in additional money on its first electrical bill, to help accelerate the transition to affordable, renewable energy sources for the 49,000 customers in the region. The Green Tariff is available to all Liberty Utilities customers and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will continue to advocate for its adoption within the larger community.

With this change, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will almost half its annual carbon footprint, including fuels and other sources unrelated to the power grid, from 13,078 metric tons to an estimated 6,682 metric tons. This is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions generated by 959 homes.

Skiers enjoying the green slopes of Squaw Valley (pictured above)