Sharp's Solar Energy Solutions Group, a unit of Sharp Electronics Corp., recently provided solar modules for Google's corporate headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. In addition to roof-mounted arrays, the system features a new structure that encompasses two carports under which employees can park – and if the company's employees drive a plug-in hybrid, they can recharge their cars at the carport.
Sharp provided 9,212 208 W modules for the project, which was designed and installed by EI Solutions of San Rafael, Calif., the company says. The 1.6 MW system is designed to feed into Google's overall operations, thus reducing the amount of electricity the company purchases from its local utility.
‘With this system, Google is setting an example for other corporations as to the tremendous environmental and financial benefits of solar energy,’ says Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp's Solar Energy Solutions Group.
