PATTON — Prince Gallitzin State Park is now home to the largest solar array in the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ 124 state park system.

The array, installed about a month ago, was officially dedicated Thursday morning at the park, which includes 400 campsites, a water treatment plant, a wastewater treatment plant, two maintenance areas, two offices and more — all of which require electricity to maintain.

It will generate enough energy to offset the park’s electricity usage and take it to net zero, said park manager Jessica Lavelua, adding the park’s annual electric costs are usually between $120,000 and $140,000.

The array’s max rated capacity is 625 kilowatts, which is enough to generate about 90 households on average, according to Jim Sowerbrower, regional engineer manager for DCNR’s south central region.

Sowerbrower said the array was constructed alongside another array at Gifford Pinchot State Park in York County for a total of $1.8 million. It is estimated that Prince Gallitzin’s array cost about $600,000 to install — an investment that will pay itself off in about six years, Lavelua said, noting the array’s life expectancy should last for more than 20 years.

DCNR secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said the goal is to obtain electricity in the state’s parks from renewable sources by 2030. Prince Gallitzin is now among the more than 20 state parks in the DCNR system that are currently using solar energy to offset costs, reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change and demonstrate sustainability practices to visitors, she said.

Dunn said the array at Prince Gallitzin will remove 700 tons of carbon emissions out of the atmosphere.

“This array will save $100,000 to the operating budget of this very large park with huge infrastructure,” Dunn said. “If we can put some of that money in the public-facing amenities, it’s a better use of the funds for the public.”

Outdoor recreation is a $17 billion industry, according to Cambria County Commissioner Tom Chernisky, who said it’s good for the county when people travel out of the region and spend money.

“We love OPM — other people’s money — here in Cambria County and our region,” Chernisky said, noting Prince Gallitzin State Park has the third highest attendance rate of any park in the state, with 1.8 million people visiting the park every year.

“This is a win for the environment and the taxpayers in Cambria County and the state of Pennsylvania,” Chernisky said.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.