Solar Powered Ferris Wheels - New Santa Monica Pier Wheel (GALLERY)

Pacific Park in Southern California is home to one of Hollywood movies’ most famous landmarks, the Santa Monica Pier ferris wheel. Taking advantage of the sunny climate, it is the world’s only solar powered ferris wheel, and as of this month, the wheel has been replaced. The new model has 160,000 new energy efficient LED lights… all powered by the sun.

The GoGreenSolar blog notes that the upgrade to LED lights, “now allows the ferris wheel to maximize on its solar power system more effectively. Combining solar panels with energy efficiency lighting is the best value a solar power system can offer but very rarely accomplished.”

The new wheel was unveiled during a ceremonial re-lighting, complete with a fantastic fireworks display. The old ferris wheel had been dismantled and auctioned off on E-Bay earlier in May for $132,000.