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More On Googles 1.6MW Solar Installation

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


A few months ago we covered Google's plans for 1.6MW solar power (1) 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 (2) 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 (3). 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 (4) here, and El Solutions (5) here.

Web Link References

(1) http://www.reuk.co.uk/Google-Goes-Solar.htm
(2) http://www.reuk.co.uk/How-Do-PV-Solar-Panels-Work.htm
(3) http://www.reuk.co.uk/Power-Inverters.htm
(4) http://www.google.co.uk
(5) http://www.eispv.com/

Article from REUK.co.uk:
http://www.reuk.co.uk/More-On-Googles-1.6MW-Solar-Installation.htm
Published: 31st March 2007
© REUK 2009