Search Engine Seeks Solar
Posted
12/1/2008
The largest
corporate campus solar panel installation in the United States to
date is at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. Known as
the Googleplex, the headquarters has 9,212 208-watt solar panels
from Sharp Electronics Corp., Mahwah, N.J. The project came as
Google was looking for a way to reduce energy costs at its
corporate campus, as well as make a statement in support of clean
energy. The solar system produces 1.6 megawatts of solar power,
enough for 30 percent of Google's peak electricity demand, and the
equivalent electricity to power approximately 1,000 California
homes.
The solar panels were installed on eight buildings covering a total
of more than 197,000 square feet (18,301 m2). Additionally, two new
photovoltaic parking canopies were constructed for employees to
park and recharge their plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The system was designed by EI Solutions, San Rafael, Calif., and
installed by Cupertino Electric Inc., San Jose, Calif. Solar PV
mounting manufacturer UniRac Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., had to match
the best mounting products for each roof style. A non-penetrating
racking system from S-5!, Colorado Springs, Colo., was used for the
standing-seam roofs.
The south pitched roofs used the SolarMount/S-5! product line,
while the north pitched roofs required a custom tilted
SolarMount/S-5! solution with the panels installed at a 0-degree
pitch to maximize moduledensity. The carport structures were fitted
with the SunFrame racking product for optimal aesthetics and ease
of installation.
According to Tim Jensen, project manager for Cupertino Electric:
"This is a project on a scale so large that few in the industry
have attempted it. Given the number of solar panels and deliveries
needed to keep the project running smoothly and on schedule,
logistics and planning were critical."
"With this system, Google is setting an example for other
corporations as to the tremendous environmental and financial
benefits of solar energy," said Ron Kenedi, vice president of
Sharp's Solar Energy Solutions Group, Huntington Beach, Calif. "But
even more so, Google is demonstrating that solar electricity is
just like regular electricity, and it can power anything-from
computers to copiers to servers and hybrid electric cars."
Annually, Google will save an estimated $393,000 in utilities, or
close to $15 million over the 30-year lifespan of the solar system.
Google will also be reducing carbon dioxide emissions by
approximately 3.6 millions pounds (1.62 million kg) per year, or
the equivalent of 4.28 million car miles (6.848 million km) per
year. At this rate, the system will pay for itself in approximately
seven and a half years.
Googleplex,
Mountain View, Calif.
Solar system designer: EI Solutions, San Rafael, Calif.
Architect: Blue Oak Energy, Davis, Calif.
Installer: Cupertino Electric Inc., San Jose, Calif.
Solar panels: Sharp Electronics Corp., Mahwah, N.J.
Solar panel mounting system: UniRac Inc., Albuquerque, N.M.
Roofing clamps: S-5!, Colorado Springs, Colo.
www.unirac.com; www.s-5.com; www.sharpusa.com