Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center is part of the University of Nevada, Reno and serves about 50,000 visitors a year, including hundreds of school field trips. The Planetarium’s uniquely shaped building was designed by famed Reno architect Ray Hellman and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.
The Planetarium now has a small wind turbine and an array of photovoltaic (solar electric) panels just outside the main entrance. Built by Black Rock Solar in April, 2009, the turbine and solar panels are used to teach students and the general public about renewable energy.
“Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center believes that renewable energy is crucial to the future of our state, nation, and world, and is closely tied to current and future space science research. In service of our mission of public science education, we are excited to feature an array of renewable technologies–PV, wind, and solar thermal–on site to demonstrate to a wide audience what the future of Earth and space looks like.”
