Cincinnati Zoo celebrates solar panel power project

CINCINNATI (AP) - Senator Rob Portman of Ohio is scheduled to help The Cincinnati Zoo celebrate the installation of a solar panel canopy that will provide power for the facility.

Workers have installed the $11 million canopy over a parking area. The collection of 6,400 panels is designed to produce about one-fifth of the energy the park needs and help control its electric bill.

The zoo says the 1.56 megawatt canopy is one of the country's largest urban solar arrays accessible to the public.

Portman is scheduled to join the zoo's executive director and other officials Monday to honor the project at a dedication ceremony.

PNC Bank helped finance the project for the developer.