Ryan ChartrandLooking for something good to do for the environment? Go to the movies. (Seriously). An entirely new, environmentally friendly approach has surfaced in the world of cinema.
The Palm Theater located downtown is America’s first solar powered movie theater. The small-town, three-screen theater is known for its dollar popcorn and indy flicks and is home to the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival. It also boasts some of the cheapest prices in town and has a roof equipped with 80 solar panels.
Psychology sophomore Anna Gunheim frequents the Palm because she, like many students, likes their cheap prices and different movie choices, but had no idea it was solar powered.
“I like that they show independent films, they play movies that aren’t so main stream and the crowd here is just more pleasant. I also like that the snacks are actually reasonably priced,” Gunheim said.
Another Palm Theater fan, construction management sophomore Michael Vitkovich, was especially surprised to hear that the theater is solar powered. “I’m in the renewable energy club on campus and I had no idea,” he said. “I come here for the dollar popcorn!”
Palm Theater owner Jim Dee installed the solar panels after incentive rebates were offered by PG&E and the State of California.
“The panels are perfect for San Luis Obispo’s year-round sunny weather,” said Palm Theater manager Jack Conroy.
The panels are also ideal for the Palm Theater because they have all day to produce electricity for the theater which doesn’t open until 3:45 p.m. During summer months the solar panels provide enough energy to cover all electricity use.
The theater sill remains on the grid for less sunny days when there is not enough sunlight to produce an adequate amount of power.
Since installing the solar panels in July 2004, the theater’s energy costs have already decreased by at least 50 percent.
“We have hopes that the annual energy costs will be cut by 70 percent in next three years,” Conroy said.
Dee, a long-time Central Coast native, chose a long-term investment like solar power because he intends to keep the Palm Theater around for many years to come.
General admission to the theater is now $7.50, except for matinees and Mondays, which are $5.00, after the first price increase (up 50 cents) in four years due to the minimum wage increase at the start of the year.
“We’re still a business. We have to make decisions in order to stay viable,” Conroy said.
The Palm rotates its movies, which are chosen by Dee and partially based on the movies that are playing in other San Luis Obispo theaters, every few weeks.
This week the Palm Theater is featuring “Notes on a Scandal,” “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “The Last King of Scotland.”
For more information about movie times, call (805)542-5161