University planting solar trees on parking garages
Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Solar, USA
As part of a program to provide the University of California at San Diego with renewable energy from several sources including sun, wind and bio-gas fuel cells, the school has “planted” a virtual grove of Solar Trees[TM] on the upper levels of a pair of parking garages. The “trees” provide energy for the school as well as shade for student vehicles. The grid-tied electrical infrastructure needed for the project also allows outlets for the spaces so when plug-in hybrids and electric cars begin to appear on campus they can be accommodated.
The school avoided paying any upfront cost by partnering with three different local companies who took care of the purchase and installation of the Envision Solar grove. The energy will be metered and the school will be billed monthly for the electricity received. The Solar Trees[TM] are said to be extremely sturdy and capable of enduring high winds as well as incidents of “driver error.” Although not present in this installation, other Envision solar groves include rain water capture as well. Press release is after the break.
[Source: The Earth Times]
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