The Highlands Ranch Community Association is going a little greener with the addition of solar arrays at two of its recreation centers.

The Westridge Recreation Center and the Eastridge Recreation Center were outfitted with solar panels last week. Westridge has a 15-kilowatt system and Eastridge has a 10-kilowatt system, said Ken Joseph, facilities manager for the HRCA.

"The most important thing is for us to be leaders in the areas of environmental stewardship and sustainability," he said.

LCD panels will be installed in the lobbies of each rec enter and will show visitors the real-time energy production. Since each rec center sees about 2,000 visitors a day, the displays will serve as an educational tool as people go in and out, Joseph said.

The solar arrays are expected to produce 32,000 kilowatt hours per year, a 2 percent energy savings for the HRCA.

The system cost about $138,000 to install. After receiving rebates through Xcel Energy, the HRCA will pay $51,609, or 37 percent of the cost.

Erin Feese: 303-954-2953 or feesee@yourhub.com