| RSS Web Feed for Renewable Energy UK | REUK Shop | Bookmark Site | About Us  

More On Googles 1.6MW Solar Installation



More On Googles 1.6MW Solar Installation

The latest information about Google's 1.6MW PV solar panel project

solar | news
Printer Friendly Version Print Article     

A few months ago we covered Google's plans for 1.6MW solar power installation. Since then more details have slowly been released by Google and their solar installer El Solutions an Energy Innovations company which is covered in this article.

Artists impression on Google's solar campus

Pictured above is an impression of Google's campus as it will appear from the sky when installation is complete. In total 9,212 PV solar panels from Sharp Electronics will be installed covering almost 200,000 square feet of flat roof space and parking lot shades. The system will generate over 2.6 million kWH of energy per year saving Google almost $400,000 annually. At that rate the system, which has an expected lifetime of 30 years, will pay for itself in just 7.5 years.

Fourteen 208 Watt solar modules are wired in series in each circuit with the output DC voltage sent to one of 10 SatCon Power Inverters. The inverters, which are tied into Google's power system and the state grid, convert the generated DC voltage into utility-grade AC with 96% efficiency. Thanks to net-metering any electricity Google generate and do not need is sold to the state grid. Later on when Google use more power than they are generating they will get electricity for free from the state grid.

To save money during installation and for subsequent maintenance, all 9,212 panels will be identical making repairs and replacements easy.

Solar panels installed in a car park

One third of the panels will be installed on newly built overhanging shades in the huge Googleplex car park. Pictured above is an example of a similar system at the San Diego offices of solar manufacturer Kyocera.

Google and Energy Innovations

Pictured above are David Radcliffe vice president of real estate at Google (right) and Andrew Beebe of Energy Innovations.

Further Reading

Visit Google here, and El Solutions here.

Article Last Modified: 08:41, 31st Mar 2007


Recommended Related Articles

People who read this article also enjoyed the following articles:

Solar Roof Tiles
Find out about solar cells built into roof tiles / shingles
Article Last Modified: 21:01, 30th Mar 2006
solar

How Do PV Solar Panels Work
Find out how photovoltaic solar cells generate electricity
Article Last Modified: 11:12, 4th Apr 2006
solar | education

200MW Solar Tower
Solar tower being built in Australia to generate up to 200MW of electricity
Article Last Modified: 16:58, 27th Mar 2007
solar

DIY Solar Panel Kits
Make your own solar panels from as little as US$2.95 per Watt.
Article Last Modified: 14:51, 16th Jul 2007
solar | general

Track Solar Electricity Generation at Google
Track the electricity generated at the Googleplex online
Article Last Modified: 11:01, 6th Oct 2007
solar | general | news

Electrisave Review
A review of the Electrisave energy monitor
Article Last Modified: 10:04, 4th Aug 2008
shopping | energy efficiency | general

© 2006-2008 REUK - All Rights Reserved
Page Last Updated on 21st August 2008 at 01:08:27pm

Latest
Articles


40 Amp Blocking Diode 1N1190A
Find out how to use a blocking diode with a wind turbine generator
wind
13:36, 20th Aug 2008

La Rance Tidal Power Plant
Find out La Rance experimental tidal power plant in France
tidal
15:32, 19th Aug 2008

PVC Wind Turbine Blades
Learn how to make your own PVC wind turbine blades
wind
15:16, 19th Aug 2008

Shed and Garage Solar Lighting
Light your shed or garage with solar powered lighting
lighting
15:16, 19th Aug 2008

How I Built A Wind Turbine
Read how a wind turbine was built for under US$150
wind
15:16, 19th Aug 2008

10 Ways to Save Water
Find out how you can save water, energy, and money
water
15:16, 19th Aug 2008

Rainwater Toilet Flush System
Find out how to put together a complete rainwater fed toilet flushing system
water
15:16, 19th Aug 2008

Jatropha for Biodiesel Figures
Look at the financial costs of commercial Jatropha growing for Biodiesel
biomass
15:16, 19th Aug 2008



REUK Shop

Popular Items


KILL A WATT
Plug in Mains Power and Energy Monitor
£19.99 each.
Energy Saving



EFERGY HOMECO2METER
efergy homeCO2meter wireless electricity monitor
£38.99 each.
Energy Saving



240V LED SPOTLIGHT BULB
240V LED GU10 bulb. 20 x 20,000mcd white LED 1 Watt bulb
£4.99 each.
Energy Efficient Lighting



RAINWATER DIVERTER KIT
Rainwater diverter kit for standard plastic 65mm square and 68mm round downpipes
£8.99 each.
Water Conservation



300 WATT POWER INVERTER
Convert 12V DC battery power into 230 AC to power portable televisions, computers, video recorders etc. 300 Watt power rating - peak power 600 Watts
£29.99 each.
Renewable Energy System Parts



12 VOLT 3 WATT SOLAR PANEL
Waterproof 12 Volt 3 Watt Solar Panel - 199 x 136mm with fitted leads (fiberglass and resin).
£19.99 each.
Solar Power



SUNGUARD SOLAR CONTROLLER
4.5 Amp at 12 Volt solar charge controller - fully encapsulated and weatherproofed
£19.99 each.
Solar Controllers