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Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)'s posts Post Back to profile
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Femme Malheureuse

@Infoseepage @mackayim2022 No good excuse not to use parking lots for solar arrays, especially since they can also be used to charge vehicles while parked.

Can't claim too north or south to do this, either; snowy Michigan State University has had solar car ports for years now. msutoday.msu.edu/news/2018/msu

MSU has also installed transparent solar panels on window systems. Every window+wall+roof is an opportunity.

17 Dec 2024 at 23:16 | Wall-to-wall | Open on mstdn.social
8 comments
Samhain Night 4 Harris

@femme_mal @Infoseepage @mackayim2022 I've been saying that parking lots should have solar panels for ages! I'm glad people are starting to do it now!

18 Dec 2024 at 1:58 | Open on mstdn.social
Jimmy Havok

@samhainnight @femme_mal @Infoseepage @mackayim2022 Audubon Society is beginning to do solar installations over their parking lots.

18 Dec 2024 at 2:31 | Open on mastodon.social
Femme Malheureuse

@samhainnight @Infoseepage @mackayim2022 IMO I think resistance to parking lots as solar carports is based in financing and monetization.

At MSU the electricity generated powers the school. But what if it's state/local government? Will fossil fuel sponsors interfere with placement on government property by capturing legislators and regulators with campaign contributions?

I suspect this has already been happening. We need to organize to get around it.

18 Dec 2024 at 2:32 | Open on mstdn.social
Bradcopter

@femme_mal @samhainnight @Infoseepage @mackayim2022 throwing up solar panels over parking gives the bonus benefits of blocking sunlight from cars heating them up too much, and provides cover from the rain. It's win win.

18 Dec 2024 at 3:28 | Open on mastodon.social
SuperMoosie

@Bradcopter
More steel and hence more co2 needed to support panels of solar carparks compared with rooftop or solar farms. Panels are higher, supports further appart and hold higher area.

Also extra costs of working in existing carpark - traffic control, cutting concrete for trenches etc

But you have benifits above the direct cost of electricity. Shade/ rain protection for customers.

@femme_mal @samhainnight @Infoseepage @mackayim2022

18 Dec 2024 at 3:41 | Open on mastodon.au
Samhain Night 4 Harris
Jimmy Havok

@femme_mal @Infoseepage @mackayim2022 Another aspect of solar arrays over parking lots is the provision of shade. Not such a big deal in northerly climes, but possibly a lifesaver in southern climes.

18 Dec 2024 at 3:01 | Open on mastodon.social
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