USA's Largest Rooftop Solar Array

 

The records keep on tumbling in the world of solar power as companies vie for the positive press coverage of having the "biggest" solar array in various categories.

The latest contender is Fedex in the USA, one of the world's largest freight companies. Fedex announced last week the construction of the nation’s largest rooftop solar power system at its distribution hub in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

The 2.42 megawatt solar farm will cover approximately 3.3 acres of roof top space with approximately 12,400 BP solar panels. 

The new solar farm will produce around 2.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year and could provide up to 30 percent of the hub’s annual energy needs. In an increasingly common arrangement, BP will install and operate the solar farm and FedEx will purchase the power generated.

Construction is scheduled to commence in August and expected to be finished by November this year. When the system is fully operating, the combined environmental benefits based on a projected annual reduction of approximately 1,867 metric tons of CO2 emissions is equivalent to 259 households’ electricity use for one year or  over 340 passenger cars not driven for one year.

This project isn't Fedex's first foray into solar power. Last year, the company installed a 282 kilowatt system at facilities in Whittier, California and another 269 kilowatt solar array at in Fontana, California that meets up to 80 percent of the facility’s peak energy demand.  FedEx is currently constructing its Central and Eastern European gateway at the Cologne/Bonn airport in Germany, which will include a 1.4-megawatt solar power system.  

Solar Power - From Dumpsters?

 

Any space exposed to the sky is fair game for solar panel coverage these days it seems. There's car park solar farms, prototype solar highways and with the evolution of flexible solar panels, just about any surface can become a solar collector - even tent fabric and clothing.
 
So what's the connection between solar power and dumpsters? 
 
Inventor Ray Saluccio of EarthSure Renewable Energy Corp. owned a sanitation company for over 2 decades and he noticed flaws in the trash removal systems that he was hired to service, but he also saw an opportunity. He also looked at the space above the dumpsters as an untapped resource. Mr. Saluccio has developed a concept in which dumpster areas can be better maintained, kept cleaner, more secure - and generate energy.
 
The Solar Energy Enclosed Dumpster System, or SEEDS, utilises areas dedicated to trash removal with a portable system to turn them in solar power plants. The dumpster enclosure also serves to prevent unwanted access to the dumpster while providing a more aesthetically pleasing facade. The design also satisfies the requirements of many local governments for enclosing dumpsters. 
 
Dumpster enclosures are also very susceptible to being damaged by trucks, so  SEEDS is designed to absorb this kind of abuse by employing the same technology and material that is applied to highway barrier systems.
 
SEEDS can be fitted with other useful accessories such as an emergency phone, safety lighting and surveillance camera. Any electricity not consumed in its operation can be exported to the mains grid.

News for Friday 31 July, 2009

 

• Hunt's ATRAA Address: Vision For A Solar Continent
  

View all news for Friday 31 July, 2009 on one page

Recent News

 

• Thursday 30 July, 2009
  


• Wednesday 29 July, 2009
  


• Tuesday 28 July, 2009
  


• Monday 27 July, 2009
  


• Friday 24 July, 2009
  

News archive