Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Solar Panels on Warehouse Rooftops - Genius!

A friend slipped this press release to me today. ProLogis, "the world's largest owner, manager and developer of distribution facilities" is allowing the Southern California Edison utility company rooftop space to house photovoltaic (PV) panels. Not just a building here or there, but the initial phase will provide 607,000 square feet of rooftop space. After the project is all said and done the utility customers will have 250 megawatts of electricity being generated by these PV panels. Kudos to ProLogis for using that empty rooftop space to perpetuate a renewable energy source. Now I wonder if ProLogis has any warehouses in Colorado and if Xcel Energy would be willing to embark upon a similar agreement?

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Wishful Thinking

*Before adding PV, wind, or solar thermal to your residential or commercial structure, the first step is to analyze this structure's energy consumption through a professional energy audit. I'd like to see some public education on the importance of an energy audit for any structure. Remember Smokey the Bear's forest fire shtick drilled into our heads over the last few decades? How about something like, "Henry the House" desperately wanting to know how much energy he consumes and wastes throughout the day?

*With over 300 sunny days a year on the Front Range is it too much to ask for solar PV and thermal modules on every residential and commercial unit (after an energy audit of course)?


*How about affordable plug-in electric cars that go more than 100 miles on a charge with PV and wind powered recharging stations?

*Dreaming of companies large and small adopting business sustainability practices to maximize profits, reduce their carbon footprint, and enhance the lives of their employees and the communities that surround them.

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