The historic carousel at the Woodland Park Zoo was recently given a high-tech, eco-friendly makeover - solar panels now power the popular attraction as part of Seattle City Light’s solar-panel demonstration project.

The 9.9 kW of Silicon Energy Cascade modules are expected to produce 9,000 kilowatt-hours annually, enough to offset the electricity required to power the carousel, which completes an average 100,000 rides per year. The project also serves as a model for renewable energy options for local homeowners; according to City Light, 9,000 kilowatt-hours is also the annual amount of electricity needed to power the average Seattle home.

The project was designed and installed by Puget Sound Solar.