A sponsored "Solar Stage" will help offset the power used for the annual community day event.
MONACA — Mario Leone is hoping for sunny skies for Saturday's community day festivities.
It's not just because he wants the event to be a success. No, the sunnier the day, the more energy the borough will conserve.
This year, the entertainment stage will be partially powered by solar energy. A Solar Stage is being provided by Zero Fossil and Green Mountain Energy to help power the event.
"This is just another way that the borough of Monaca continues to promote sustainability to our residents and the region," Leone said.
The stage will help offset pollutants, Leone said, including sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, hydrocarbons and fine air particulate matter. The solar energy will replace using a generator that burns two-to-three gallons of gasoline or diesel gasoline each hour.
Zero Fossil officials estimate that the stage will offset about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide during community day.
Patrons will also be able to charge their cellphones on a charging station at the stage.
Community Day is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday at the pump house area in downtown Monaca, along Atlantic Avenue between Fifth and Eighth streets.