Welcome to the Solar Kolony Lodges!
Solar I, Solar II, and Solar III are part of our luxury cabins that sleep up to 6 people. The Lodges are spacious and complete, and offer lots of living space. Our Solar Kolony features separate bedrooms or bunk lofts, a full bathroom, and a kitchen. With the exception of the central air and heat, most of the energy used in the Solar Kolony is generated daily from the solar panels! Monitor the amount of energy generated and consumed during your visit for an added educational experience!
This lodging concept was frequently experienced by many international and domestic KOA guests as an unusual rental, as well as, an educational venue. The initial effort was successful, but we wanted to continue to improve our carbon footprint. The Solar Kolony at the Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort began as a small set of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generating about 2,000 Watts of power that we used to power our Solar Kolony Cabins. The system was fully off-grid - independent of the commercial power utility. After further development of the system, the Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort has become a stand alone power plant.
Solar I - 100% Green Lodge
Inside you will find 2 bedrooms, one with a queen sized bed and one with a set of bunks, as well as a sleeper sofa, full bathroom, and partial kitchen. Included in the partial kitchen are a coffee maker, toaster, stove top burners, and a small refrigerator. As with all of our lodges, linens, cookware, and dishware are included. Heat, A/C, and cable are all part of this lodge. Outside you will find a patio table and chairs, gas grill, and a fire ring,
Solar II - Apple Orchard
Inside you will find 1 bedroom with a queen sized bed and a sleeping loft with 2 twin sized beds, as well as a sleeper sofa, full bathroom, and partial kitchen. Included in the partial kitchen is a coffee maker, toaster, stove top burners, and a small refrigerator. As with all of our lodges, linens, cookware, and dishware are included. Heat, A/C, and cable are all part of this lodge. Outside you will find a patio table and chairs, gas grill, and a fire ring,
Solar III - Japanese Garden
Inside you will find 2 bedrooms, one with a queen sized bed and one with a set of bunks, as well as a sleeper sofa, full bathroom, and partial kitchen. Included in the partial kitchen is a coffee maker, toaster, stove top burners, and a small refrigerator. As with all of our lodges, linens, cookware, and dishware are included. Heat, A/C, and cable are all part of this lodge. Outside you will find a patio table and chairs, gas grill, and a fire ring,
Solar Kolony Lodges Features
• Lodges sleep up to 6 people
• Full beds and bunk beds
• Full bath, kitchenette, TV, heat and A/C
• Deck, propane grill, fire ring and table
• Linens are also provided
Call 800.562.0897 or 315.891.7355
for more information and availability.
In May 2013, the Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort
introduced a new system which allows for a stand alone power plant
New System: 7,000-Watts of sun power. PV panels on lodges.
We wanted to make use of all of the energy harvested by the PV panels, so we upgraded the system such that it can be run completely off-grid or sell excess PV power back to the utility company. The batteries are still used to maintain power to the cabins if the commercial power fails. If the batteries discharge below a set limit, a propane-fired generator starts and runs all three solar cabins, until the commercial power returns.
When commercial power is available, it uses the inverters to charge the batteries. When the batteries are fully charged, the inverters will begin to sell power back to the power company, if sunlight is available. "During normal operation, if we use more power than we produce, we buy energy from the power company. If we produce more power than we use (which is usually the case), the power company buys the excess power from us," stated Dr. Shevat.
During the winter months, when the park is closed and no AC power is being used, virtually all of the energy harnessed by the PV panels is sold back to the power company.
Therefore, the Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA Resort has become a stand alone power plant.
Additional PV panels have been added to the roofs of two lodges which support all three lodges. Together, the panels can generate over 7,000 Watts, more than enough to support the Solar Lodges, perhaps additional lodges and will have enough excess to sell power back to the power company.
Despite the advantages, the best way to limit energy use and keep footprint low is to conserve energy. We will ask that every guest do their part and do their best to conserve energy and water during their stay. A variety of software programs, as well as, creative signage have been introduced to further educate the consumer."