eTech 2007: Keynote: Google Solar Pr ...

Anthony Ravitz talks about the Google Solar project. Starts by showing off Google's workplace with their fancy offices, free food, free transportation (and canoeing) and the fact that everything is organic and nature friendly. Moves on to "Greeing Google's Campus" and all the work, modifications and recycling they did on the campus to make it greener. Thinking about off-site power was the natural move. Shows some toys including: A SpaceShipOne mockup and a fullsize replica of T-Rex in the garden. Why Solar ?

• Technology & innovation
• Scale
• Our Brand
• Our Culture

Due to tax rebates and incentives, it was a very easy business decision, it will pay off in 7,5 years and provide free clean energy for decades to come. Project Initiation

• Secured rebates from PG&E
• Issued a request for proposal
• Competitive selection process for design build contracto
• Hired solar integration El Solutions
• Spent a lot of time on roofs
• Design
• Perming

Facts:

• Largest commercial is US
• 1.6 MW
• 9.212 Sharp photovoltaic modules
• Covering Googlespace and surrounding building
• Solar carspots in two parking lors
• 30% peak electricity demand
• Enough to power about 1000 california homes

Shows a video and some cool photos, and project diagrams including the parking lot solution while explaining several details on the implementation and the whole building process. Lessons learned:

• Real solution available now
• Makes financial sense
• Installation relatively straightforward
• Working over Google engineers is challenging
• Boost employee morale
• Taking action drives market

Looking ahead

• More companies will go solar
• Larger installations
• Financing models make solar more accessible
• Will congress renew federal investment tax credit beyond 2007 ?
• More states providing financial incentives
• Increased manufacturing production - lower costs ?
• Newly emerging low cost technologies

Expected lifetime of the panels is 20-25 years. Looses only 1% efficiency per year. Did not say how much the project costed. The company is preparing public information and footage. It will be revealed real soon.