what I don’t understand is why they don’t just cover all parking lots with solar. It keeps cars cooler in summer (shade), less snow to plow in winter, and it’s space that isn’t being used by plants anyway.
I’d like to covered highways as well. Not all stretches, but any east to west would also prevent the drivers from getting glare. Don’t know why there was any interest in solar roadways when covered ones have more benefits and doesn’t require new tech.
The reasons I’ve seen mostly have to do with upfront cost and convenience for maintenance. Support structures for solar panels can be pretty crude and basic if they’re just sitting low on a field. For a parking lot you need a much taller structure which will likely deal with more wind, but which is also designed to minimize the number of support posts so it’s not in the way, and to survive idiots running into it with their Ford fteen thousand.
If something goes wrong in a field the crew can just drive there and start working. If there’s a problem with the panels over a parking lot they may need to clear part of the lot, bring in bucket lifts, etc.
It can definitely be done and I think it’s a great idea all around but they’re usually looking with an eye towards how quickly the project pays for itself.
what I don’t understand is why they don’t just cover all parking lots with solar. It keeps cars cooler in summer (shade), less snow to plow in winter, and it’s space that isn’t being used by plants anyway.
I’d like to covered highways as well. Not all stretches, but any east to west would also prevent the drivers from getting glare. Don’t know why there was any interest in solar roadways when covered ones have more benefits and doesn’t require new tech.
The reasons I’ve seen mostly have to do with upfront cost and convenience for maintenance. Support structures for solar panels can be pretty crude and basic if they’re just sitting low on a field. For a parking lot you need a much taller structure which will likely deal with more wind, but which is also designed to minimize the number of support posts so it’s not in the way, and to survive idiots running into it with their Ford fteen thousand.
If something goes wrong in a field the crew can just drive there and start working. If there’s a problem with the panels over a parking lot they may need to clear part of the lot, bring in bucket lifts, etc.
It can definitely be done and I think it’s a great idea all around but they’re usually looking with an eye towards how quickly the project pays for itself.
I’ve seen that a bit in southern France. Seemed to work great, the lot was nice and fresh even in the scorching heat.
Same here. The other thing that doesn’t make sense is why all new homes aren’t required to have solar on the roof.