Dell’s Solar Parking Lot

Wispa — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:50:41 +0000

Solar Trees are starting to sprout around the world in a new era of forestation. The latest plantation of these Photovoltaic saplings have been spotted in Texas. Dell, or more exactly, The parking lot of Dell`s headquarters in Texas has seen the growth of a small forest of Solar Panels disguised as shading carports.

Over 500 solar panels have been cultured here to provide shelter for 56 cars for the Dell employees. As these are of the genus “solaritius” they have qualities that are not found in other carports. As an added benefit to mankind these are capable of being harvested of 130,000 kilowatt hours of solar energy each year. This can be used to supply solar powered or hybrid cars in the parking lot.

The carports do not cover the entire lot so there might be some car owners who are left without shade in the summer heat. This might also be a slight ploy by the Dell corporation to encourage employees to arrive early for work and occupy the best spots. According to Dell the solar panels in the carport could reduce the toxic carbon emission to the atmosphere by 145,000 pounds of CO2.

Like many companies around the world, Dell are incorporating solar and other forms of renewable energy in their companies to supplement they or replace some of their energy requirements. The vast majority of power used is still generated by traditional unfriendly methods, such as coal or gas. But whatever we think of those companies, some are at least starting to use solar energy.

The photovoltaic solar trees were built by Envision solar with BP Solar and Coulomb Technologies also playing their parts in the development of this project. Envision Solar had previously equipped Google (some internet search company apparently) with their green solar projects.

When we get down to figures and dollar costs the benefit of this projects may not seem much, but utilizing all those spaces of car parks around the country and incorporating a secondary purpose is removing the need for solar panels to be placed in, sometimes controversial , locations.

Solar Vehicles from Japan

Wispa — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:58:58 +0000

The 2009 Global Green Challenge as been won by the Japanese Tokai Challenger solar car. The race, which is run ever two years, is a gruelling 3000 kilometre dash across the Australian outback. This year there were 32 solar vehicles entered from 16 countries competing. Coming in second place was Infinium, from the US University of Michigan.

The race was originally for solar powered vehicles and is seen as a competitive demonstration for the latest technologies. A second category has recently introduced for the show casing for environmentally friendly cars. This is not just limited to experimental vehicles and those currently in production can also be seen.

Keeping things Japanese, Mitsubishi Chemical have demonstrated a solar energy assisted truck. While not actually powering the truck it self, the photovoltaic solar panels will assist in powering the electrical parts of the vehicle. Lighting and air-conditioning will be powered by the 900 watt output solar panels and thus reducing the for running these off the motor while the vehicle is stationary.

Currently in trials it is hoped to begin production vehicles in 2012 and the possibility of integrating the system in to passenger cars. Other forms of transport may be suitable adapt , like mini vans and busses for this technology. Converting all of Japan`s trucks to this technology could save 1.6 million tons of CO2 from being released in to the atmosphere.

This is another small advance for solar, while the trucks will still be oozing pollution as they move around from destination to destination. The effect will be more noticeable where they converge like truck stops and loading stations. Much like the solar powered ships in dock, the less CO2 released at those locations will make for a cleaner working environment for the workforce.

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Dell’s Solar Parking Lot

Solar Vehicles from Japan