Solar-Powered Parking Lot

One of the most promising distributed generation renewable energy projects in the United States is solar-powered parking lots.  Owners of commercial or industrial buildings have started installing solar panels over parking lots for their facilities.  These installations serve double-duty:  shade for parked cars and generation of clean solar power for operations.

For example, at Google (headquartered in California in the Googleplex), solar canopies on its parking lots provide 30 percent of the power required for operations.  What better use for the otherwise vast stretches of concrete?

In an October 2007 article in the SF Gate, Donald Shoup observed:

“Although solar power can mitigate the increase in peak-hour power demand created by new buildings, developers rarely install solar panels above their parking lots. What can cities do to increase the use of parking lots for solar power production? One option is to incorporate solar panels into the parking requirements for commercial developments.”

Solar Recharging Station for Plug-in Cars

Worried about the cost of solar-powered parking lots?  There are ample tax credits offered by the federal government, and individual states.  In fact, California’s Million Solar Roofs program provides generous subsidies for solar panels.  Developers can save up to 80% off retail through incentives, depending on location. In addition, for businesses, “going green” is a great way to market yourself.  And what better way than for consumers/customers to see the solar panels over parking lots?  Even existing lots can be upgraded with solar panel arrays.

Of course, you cannot overlook the fact that solar-powered parking lots may provide a decentralized source of backup electricity in case of an emergency or power-outage.  And the “green” reasons for relying on renewable energy sources, including reduction of carbon emissions and working towards energy independence.

Perhaps the most exciting use of solar-powered parking lots is as a recharging station for plug-in electric hybrid cars.   In fact, recently New Jersey unveiled a solar-powered charging station/parking lot:

“A row of plug-in hybrid cars, electric scooters and security vehicles whose batteries were tethered to the garage’s six, 110-volt charging stations were on display. Solar energy from a steel canopy erected atop the garage by Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc. — a leading solar integrator — was silently recharging the vehicle’s batteries. The canopy’s 600 solar panels were now operational, capable of producing enough energy to annually heat and light 25 homes.”

Can you believe it?  Cars that can run on sunlight!  This can truly buy us energy independence, while working towards addressing issues related to global climate change that result from burning fossil fuels.

In Vacaville, California (AKA “Voltageville”) solar powered park and ride facilities are already operational.  This is likely due to the fact that the City has the largest fleet of electric cars per capita (the reason for the moniker: Voltageville).

I think we can all aspire to being a Voltageville, where ever we live.  And even if there is not yet a strong demand for solar-powered recharging stations for plug-in vehicles, the energy generated by solar-powered parking lots can offset other utility demands from commercial/industrial demands.

This is what we’re talking about with Build, Baby Build!

Have you greenspotted a solar-powered parking lot lately?  Let us know below!

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Related posts:

1. Better Place Driving the Transition to Electric Vehicles
2. Ohio State Patrol Goes Solar