What makes more sense for a museum dedicated to space and the solar system than to draw its power from the sun? Doing it when incentives make it cost next to nothing.

That’s the story behind the Arizona Challenger Space Center, which is installing an 18-kilowatt array on its roof thanks to rebates from Pinnacle West (NYSE: PNW) and Arizona Public Service (APS), as well as Arizona and federal incentives.

The $87,000 system is being funded by a $25,000 renewable-energy grant from APS and is eligible for an additional $12,000 rebates from the utility. It’s also receiving a $50,000 state grant from the Arizona Department of Commerce (the maximum amount available) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act under the Renewable Energy Program for Non-Profit Organizations.

The museum received grant application help from PWI Solar Construction of Mesa, which is installing the system, said museum Executive Director Kari Silva.

“PWI is donating a panel as well. They were very instrumental, their subcontractor helped write the grant, and we wanted to make sure that we were getting as much as we could,” she said. Thanks to the grants and rebates the museum will own the system outright. “It will save us approximately $4,000 to 5,000 a year on our electric bill.”

The museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, had been considering solar for a long time, Silva said.

“It’s really a perfect match for us because we are a science center with a heavy emphasis on space and the solar system, so it was just a great fit,” she said. “As part of our exhibits, we incorporate the solar system into everything we do.”

The donated panel from PWI and a grant from the Kennedy Partners will pay for an educational kiosk, at the museum, Silva said.

The kiosk will be next to the exhibit will be on our second floor right next to a life-size model of one of Motorola’s Iridium Satellites, which used photovoltaics for power.

“You can see the solar panels on the model, and we will tie that in as well,” she said. “Then we can show kids, students, people visiting the museum how we are utilizing our sun to our benefit.”

Image courtesy of the Challenger Space Center.