Googling The GooglePlex: With More Solar Googlables To Come
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12.10.07
Just because the pictures are cool: here's the finished Google roof top solar project - top view. Below the fold, the installation is shown in progress.
Completed in May, Google's is the largest single corporate solar installation in the world. The company says the solar panels have cut its grid energy consumption by 30 percent and will pay for itself within seven years.But the project still pales in comparison to some of the largest solar installations currently under construction. In Brandis, Germany, for example, crews are outfitting a 40 megawatt photovoltaic solar park on a former military base. And just north of Las Vegas, a 15 to18 megawatt project at Nellis Air Force Base is set to open in December.
Wal-Mart, meanwhile, has announced plans to generate 20 megawatts of power via solar panels installed on multiple stores and distribution centers.
See this earlier post on the GooglePlex. The idea is spreading, apparently, according to Celine.
Credit Due Department:- The original corporate solarplex project was completed by Interface, Inc. at it's Bentley Mills operating facility, in 1999: before it was cool, and pre-Enron-induced brownout, making it even cooler of course.
Via::GreenTech Media
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- 1,280 Megawatt Solar Power Plan Unveiled by Los Angeles Mayor
There really is good news out there.
This is a great idea. Economically and environmently space, roofs are a waste of space; they neither provide any quantitative benefits to a business nor do they have any plants (usually) to absorb CO2. So adding the panels would be definitely in everyone's better interest. In fact, I think it should go further. I think that solar panels should be a requirement for new buildlings. It won't meet all of our energy needs, but cutting around 30% of total energy usage is HUGE!
where does tesco's new US chain, fresh&easy, fit in? they've built a 500,000 sq/ft photovoltaic roof over about half of their distribution center in riverside.
www.freshandeasy.com
"It won't meet all of our energy needs, but cutting around 30% of total energy usage is HUGE!"
Although it is more difficult to make energy from solar panels when it is not sunny, there is in fact enough sunlight that hits the USA to fulfill our power needs 90 times over. Storage of excess energy via photovoltaic batteries or using potential energy mechanics that will allow excess energy to deliver it later is the key. That technology is out there already. It just needs to be brought into the economics of energy distribution.
Odlicno, bravo tako treba, junaci.
Congratulations for idea, maybe other gigant will follow your idea.
Desert are perfect places for this, also.
actually, modern solar panels can still generate energy (with a lower efficiency) even on overcast days.