Sun shades cool parking lots, pump out solar energy

That's a great idea. If Envision is successful, I hope their next move will be to target the many acres of flat-roofed industrial buildings (like this one) that mostly do nothing other than bake in the sun and create storm water runnoff. Putting solar panels on these roofs wouldn't do much for the runnoff (you'd need to plant them as green roofs for that, which is another good idea that could be mixed with the solar) but all told they add up to an unbelievably large amount of wasted space. These warehouses would have the shade benefits that you talk about for the parking lots, so their A/C demands would also be greatly reduced.

A quick search and back of the envelope calculation of how much area we're talking about: according to this article, the world's largest warehouse owner now controls roughly 241 million square feet of warehouse space, covering roughly (my calculation) 13,412 acres of land. Yowza, now that's a lot of photovoltaic potential!

We at Envision Solar appreciate the recognition and support for our Solar Forestation mission!! A great article! Just one more bit of good news...

The article comments that ......"Putting solar panels on these roofs wouldn't do much for the runnoff (you'd need to plant them as green roofs for that, which is another good idea that could be mixed with the solar."

However, part of the Envision Solar Forestation mission includes capturing stormwater run-off in gutters or pervious concrete areas and directing it to a bio-swale.

Again, thanks for the support!!

I wonder if a version of those sun shades could be developed to work as a patio cover? I sure wouldn't mind a patio cover that served double duty shading my patio and giving me free energy.

i have heard this before. (anecdotally) that installing solar panels on your roof will reduce your power consumption simply by being there. shading your roof, reducing your heat gain, even breaking the wind in the winter.

i still like the shade of a good tree though. chirping birds and fluttering butterflies don't tend to gather in the cells of a solar panel.

Great idea and product. I wish some of these companies would look at introducing their energy saving and clean energy generating products in India, more so in view of the American President's recent statement about oil prices going up BECAUSE of increased consumption and subsidies in India and China. We have ample solar energy for almost 9 months a year and companies, institution, and individuals do take great pride in being energy conscious in India.

I love the use of unused surface area to generate solar power, cooler parking, and even thoughtful storm water runoff (and "pervious" concrete -- we have far too much impervious surface in this country and I'm glad to know there's a word that means the opposite -- thanks, Pamela).

And you would not have to walk to your car in the rain

Reminds me of a solar company in Utah called Ciralight that vitually eliminates the need for electric lighting in the daytime. Solar lighting has so much potential for so many. The word need to get out so that the natural light can get through.

I'm embarrassed to say, I'm not very knowledgeable on this topic, but this sounds like another great idea: but why isn't it being talked more about? Why are these great ideas not on the news to help provide energy for us? I hope this idea gets out soon so things can start looking more positive and not so negitive.