Energy Efficient Parking Lots
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Thu, Jan 08, 2009 @ 09:25 AM
Green technology is becoming more creative. There are many ways to capture solar energy - some are even passive and offer other added benefits. One that I came across are parking lot "umbrellas" that are actually solar panels. The company, Envision Solar International is creating "solar trees" to help capture some of the heat given off by the sun in those asphalt paved parking lots all across America. Also they will offer a bit of shade to motorists and their cars.
These solar panels are about 12 feet tall with a 1,200 square foot canopy covered in solar cells. You can now find them in parts of California (always ahead of the "green" and environmental curve). Amazingly, the typical grove in a shopping mall generates enough electricity to power 500 homes.
Envision Solar plans to make parking lots into beautiful power plants with their Solar Groves and Solar Trees.
Envision Solar takes the hassle out of designing structures for solar with their turn-key solutions. Although the company is working on a next generation design for the Solar Tree, the current iteration includes 64 Kyocera solar modules laid out in total measuring 30' x 40'. The panels sit at a five degree angle and provide shading for six vehicles, too. Envision Solar has found success installing these parking canopies near commercial buildings and retail parking lots because the energy can be sold to businesses through power purchase agreements.
What's interesting, though, is what our country would be like with Solar Groves all over the place. With plug-in electric vehicles and plug-in slots near Solar Trees, parking lots could be the transportation energy stations of the future. Electric vehicles wouldn't be nearly as bad as they are right now if they're getting the bulk of their power from renewable sources.
As far as costs are concerned, Envision Solar seems to be aggressive in their pursuit of good deals. Depending on site conditions, the company says a good Solar Grove could pay for itself in five years. The good news is Envision Solar International makes it affordable for lot owners.