Reminiscent of the 2001 – A Space Odyssey monolith, Porsche’s solar panel pylon in Germany has been capturing attention as well as sunshine.
Constructed at a technology park in the Adlershof section of Berlin; the facade of the 25 metre high structure is covered with 7,776 solar cells; capable of generating up to 30 megawatt-hours of clean electricity annually.
The “solar pylon” will be supplying 100% of the power requirements of the Porsche Centre in Berlin-Adlershof when it commences operations in 2017, and will also provide visitors to the Centre driving electric cars free recharging.
The pylon is symbolic of Porsche’s commitment electric transportation and sustainable investment said Dr Jens Puttfarcken, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche Deutschland GmbH.
The monolithic pylon isn’t Porsche’s first solar installation. At its Leipzig site, solar panels have been installed over an area of nearly 4,650 square metres. The solar power system has an annual output of around 700 megawatt-hours and avoids 930 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions (equivalent) a year.
Porsche has also entered the electric vehicle market and currently has three plug-in hybrid vehicle models, including the Cayenne S E-Hybrid.
Last September, the company unveiled its all-electric vehicle; the Mission E. Expected to be on sale within 5 years, the Mission E boasts 600 horsepower, a top speed exceeding 250 kmh, a range of more than 480 kilometres and a claimed battery pack recharging time of 80% in under 15 minutes. The Mission E can accelerate 0-100 km/h in under 3.5 seconds.
As well as conventional charging via cable, the Mission E will have a cable-free inductive charging option.
Porsche will invest approximately €1 billion in its production locations in order to complete the Mission E project. 1,000 new jobs will be created at company headquarters in Zuffenhausen alone.
“With Mission E, we are making a clear statement about the future of the brand. Even in a greatly changing motoring world, Porsche will maintain its front-row position with this fascinating sports car,” said Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG.
Trivia: The Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid was the first hybrid vehicle developed by Ferdinand Porsche; Porsche’s founder. It was produced between 1900 and 1905 and featured 10–14 hp two/four hub-mounted electric motors.
