Solar-Powered Santa Monica Ferris Wheel To Go Green For Earth Day

SANTA MONICA, CA — The world's only Ferris wheel with solar-powered lights — the Santa Monica Pier's Pacific Wheel — is about to get greener.

On Monday, Earth Day, the wheel will be lit up with a 90-foot-tall spinning globe, along with a variety of green and blue colors, patterns and icons, beginning at sunset (7:31 p.m.) until midnight.

The wheel, a centerpiece at the pier's Pacific Park, features 174,000 solar-powered LED lights mounted on it structure, which includes 40 spokes and two hubs. The LED lighting provides 81 percent greater energy savings compared to traditional incandescent Ferris wheel bulbs, according to the park.

The city of Santa Monica recognized Pacific Park with a 2020-21 “Gold GoSaMo Achievement” award for reducing vehicle trips, congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions in the city.

It also received the “Excellence in Stewardship of the Natural Environment” award at the 15th annual Sustainable Quality Awards, held by the city, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the nonprofit Sustainable Works.