An ambitious solar energy program, in Utah is beginning to win national attention. The concept is proving itself in some very out-of-the-way places. Environment Specialist John Hollenhorst has the story:

The technology is a spinoff from the space program. But it uses the oldest energy source on Earth: The Sun. This is Utah's biggest solar project to date. It converts the sun's rays into electricity, providing most of the power for Dangling Rope Marina on Lake Powell.

((JEFFREY BURKS/UTAH OFFICE OF ENERGY: "THE DANGLING ROPE PROJECT HAS BEEN AN ENORMOUS SUCCESS."))

Jeff Burks has helped put together what amounts to a solar power laboratory spread across Southern Utah. 6 major systems are in operation. 4 more are in the works. The sites are mostly in National Parks, in remote places where power-lines and diesel generators are expensive propositions.

((JEFFREY BURKS/UTAH OFFICE OF ENERGY: "THERE ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS THAT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PUTS A VALUE ON, THAT MAKE THESE PROJECTS A NO-BRAINER IN OUR NATIONAL PARKS."))

The Dangling Rope project makes diesel generators unnecessary about 75 percent of the time. That saves the government about 77,000 dollars a year. It also reduces noise, air pollution, and tanker trips across Lake Powell.

((JEFFREY BURKS/UTAH OFFICE OF ENERGY: "WE NO LONGER RUN THE RISK OF A DEISEL FUEL SPILL ON LAKE POWELL, WHICH WAS A BIG CONCERN TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE."))

((JOHN HOLLENHORST REPORTING: "IT'S HARD TO VISUALIZE IT ON AN OVERCAST DAY LIKE TODAY. BUT UTAH IS CONSIDERED A VERY GOOD PLACE FOR SOLAR ENERGY."))

((JEFFREY BURKS/UTAH OFFICE OF ENERGY: "STATE OF UTAH HAS AN EXCELLENT SOLAR RESOURCE. IN OTHER WORDS, WE GET A LOT OF SUNSHINE. "))

In areas served by power-lines, sunshine seems unlikely to replace the power company anytime soon. But in the back-country, the sun seems to have a bright future.

State officials learned, today that their solar energy program has won a Certificate of Achievement from the National Awards Council for Environmental Sustainability.