Dell is doing it again, this time on-site, with a series of solar trees that will not only help power it's headquarters in Round Rock, Texas, but also serve to charge electric vehicles parked there. Of course, there aren't currently any electric vehicles parking in the Dell lot, but hopefully that will change in the next few years.
The solar trees were put in place by Envision Solar, who's work we've seen at Google Headquarters previously.The Dell installation will provide 130,000 kW/h per year and shades the parking spots of the 56 employees who get to the lot first. Everyone else gets punished for being late by having to park in the sun.
The project uses more than Envision's technology though. The charging points are provided by Coulomb Technologies while the solar panels themselves were manufactured by BP Solar. All together, they made themselves (and Dell) a pretty sexy-looking parking lot. Hopefully we'll see a lot more of these in the future.
Via Jetson Green
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written by some guy, October 27, 2009
I wouldn't call is "Sexy-looking" in the slightest. But its a good idea.
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written by alex, October 27, 2009
its sexy 2 me..goes 2 show one's man 'meat' is sometimes anoda man's poison 
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written by Adrienne, October 27, 2009
The best thing is they look like they provide better shade than most real trees I see in parking lots.
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written by Carl Hage, October 27, 2009
Silly to call it a solar tree-- but still a good idea. What matters most is the mounting and installation cost/Watt. In theory, it could be equal or lower than roof mounts, and there is more parking lot area available than roof area. Shading of cars is an added bonus. You would think it would be cheaper and more stable if there was a continuous strip of panels. If parking lots were solarized on a mass scale, then specialized trucks and equipment could be used so one small team could install a
I have statistics for San Mateo County, CA (home of Tesla)-- if 50% of commercial/industrial sites were covered in solar panels (1.6% of land), that would meet 100% of the kWh/day demand for the whole county, even without any farm/residential area.
For the next 20 years you wouldn't want to charge a car with a solar panel. Until we have more daytime electricity than nighttime, it's better to use car charging to fill the dips in demand.
I have statistics for San Mateo County, CA (home of Tesla)-- if 50% of commercial/industrial sites were covered in solar panels (1.6% of land), that would meet 100% of the kWh/day demand for the whole county, even without any farm/residential area.
For the next 20 years you wouldn't want to charge a car with a solar panel. Until we have more daytime electricity than nighttime, it's better to use car charging to fill the dips in demand.
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written by EV, October 27, 2009
Article doesn't mention it, but is the power currently being generated at least being tapped to power the buildings?
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written by VeruTEK Green Technologies, October 27, 2009
It is quite a brilliant idea, and anyone who has gotten in to a car after it has been sitting in the sun all day knows how much heat and energy can be reached. I am not quite sure why they call it a Solar Tree, just because it provides shade for other cars. Still it is a good idea, and kudos to Dell.
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written by Richard, October 28, 2009
This is actually a very good idea. Not only can we provide shade, we can also use them as sources for fuel for electric cars. Kudos!
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written by Richard, October 29, 2009
I think that more and more states should follow this example of change. It all starts one step at a time anyway, right?
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written by Sac Voyage Home Loans, October 30, 2009
WOW, what a great idea. I hope it catched on for everyone.
Voyage Home Loans
Voyage Home Loans
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written by diesel jeans, November 03, 2009
Cool website, like what I have read. Will definitely be back to read again.
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written by uggs, November 04, 2009
Hi, nice post. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for sharing. I will certainly be subscribing to your blog.
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written by Smart Solar, November 05, 2009
Solar energy is very clean and is a good alternative for traditional electricity. The energy comes from the sun's rays and is known to be very environmentally friendly. It is a clean form of energy. To produce electricity or heat you only need the sun rays. You just need a solar energy collector or solar power panels in order to convert the energy into electricity. It is cheaper than to use traditional electricity . For more details on solar powered products please visit http://www.smartsolarshopping.com
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written by OregonFarmer, November 06, 2009
Well, actually in most any state, the same parking lot covers could be linked to rain storage as well as solar collection.
So if a car is not pulling power from the solar array, where does it go in this installation?
So if a car is not pulling power from the solar array, where does it go in this installation?
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written by SilenceIsGolden, November 10, 2009
Every time we visit the in-laws in Texas I say 'Wouldn't it be great if all the parking lots had roofs with solar panels on them - to catch the energy and provide shade at the same time'? There are so many couples down there where one stays in the car with the motor running to keep the AC on (yes, I know, it doesn't do anything if the car isn't running...) while the other one runs into the store to buy things. And I mean not just run in quickly to buy a paper or so.
Yeah!! I actually started clapping when I read this - we need more initiatives like these!!
Yeah!! I actually started clapping when I read this - we need more initiatives like these!!
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written by Simin, November 11, 2009
My name is Ponyo, I was born on 18 Febrary.. I graduated this year, everybody think it is not a good time to find job. Fortunately, I finally find a job as a sales. Inverter, I never knew this, I never heard of this products. But it really walks into my life.
I do not know sales, I do not know how to sell. When people ask me about the inverter, I become very happy. Because I know maybe he is the next customers. I used to hate sales, because I think they are very goody-goody. But now I realized that., to be a sales, is not to earn other people's money cpmpletely, but how to help people to purchasing the goods need.
I will cherish my job, I will remember these days.
I do not know sales, I do not know how to sell. When people ask me about the inverter, I become very happy. Because I know maybe he is the next customers. I used to hate sales, because I think they are very goody-goody. But now I realized that., to be a sales, is not to earn other people's money cpmpletely, but how to help people to purchasing the goods need.
I will cherish my job, I will remember these days.
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written by austin solar installers, November 19, 2009
Unlike photovoltaic(PV) systems that convert sunlight into electricity, solar water heaters simply takes the heat from the sun and transfers it to your home’s water heater. The panel has no moving parts, no expensive electric cells, so you get a very cost effective system that can power 30% of your home’s energy needs year round.
Austin solar
Austin solar
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written by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 25, 2009
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written by jonathan, December 06, 2009
While Envision Solar touts its accomplishment, the true accolades belong to McBride Electric located in Austin (Round Rock) Texas. It was McBride Electric that was the general contractor for Dell Computers and chose to use Envision for the structural design of the “Trees”. They [McBride] utilized other contractors for various portions of the project on various trades. Though there were significant issues involved with the structural steel by Envision that caused McBride to make in-the-field repairs and changes to the assembly, McBride overcame those obstacles and produced a great landmark installation for Dell. This is obviously just the very first of many installation of both covered parking and most likely roof top mounted photovoltaic system that Dell will be installing. The credit belongs to those at the general contractor [McBride Electric] and Dell for an outstanding project. I watched the building of this outside of my window.
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written by Joanne, December 23, 2009
On a trip to Tallahassee this past summer I noticed that one of the government buildings had a "solar tree" installed in their parking lot. I was designated for electric cars and the employee of the month, etc. It was then that I had an idea to cover all of the interstate road with them and tie them into the grid at various points. That would provide for a "covered bridge" type road, keeping the snow and rain off the road reducing accidents, keeping the glare from the sun out of drivers eyes, reducing accidents, and keeping the weather from creating so many pot holes in the road, along with providing enough solar power to run the USA. When you start adding up the amount of miles of highways we have, we could surely have enough power to handle our needs and it would put an awful lot of people to work for installing, and maintaining the panels all across the USA. We aren't doing much with the roads right now except driving on them, why not have them provide the electric for us.
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written by David, December 27, 2009
I really like Joanne's idea of covering roads with panels, and all the safety benefits(snow and rain cover)One problem: the weight of snow! Maybe companies could sponsor sections with advertising to offset the cost. The electricity generated could be used to power lighting for the roads at night(using LEDs)
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