DLR Group, engineered a 346kW carport canopy system to produce clean energy at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota. Pivot Energy installed the system, named by park operator, Xanterra Travel Collection, as the Thomas Jefferson Solar Canopy. The project will be unveiled in a ceremony on April 22, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. 
 
"We were honored to be involved in a unique engineering project like this," said DLR Group Principal, Eric Loos, P.E. "Anytime we have an opportunity to work with great partners like Xanterra and Pivot Energy to honor an American icon like Mount Rushmore through our commitment to renewable energy, we consider it a win for everyone."
 
The solar structure will power over half of the electricity used at Xanterra's gift shop and restaurant at Mount Rushmore and is estimated to reduce existing greenhouse gas emissions by 24 percent. When parking vehicles under the array, visitors are protected from the elements while catching unobstructed views of the Memorial. This is due to the distinct angular design of the 975 solar panels atop the carport. The project is estimated to save the park over $40,000 in energy costs annually.
 
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