Solar panels to power cruise ships in California Ports
It probably shouldn’t come as a big surprise, but the giant cruise ships that are so popular among travelers these days have an even bigger carbon footprint. In fact, the environmental impact of enjoying a cruise is more than three times larger than that of flying on a Boeing 747 (comparing 24 hour periods for each type of travel).
Two ports in Southern California now help cut the greenhouse gas emissions of cruise liners and shipping vessels- at least while they are in port! Taking the lead from the Port of San Diego, the Port of Los Angeles now includes solar panels to power cruise ships that are docked. A 1-megawatt (MW) solar panel system in Los Angeles will generate 1.2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean solar electricity that can be used in place of the diesel generators typically run on ships while berthed.
The solar panel installation is but one part of an overall plan for the Port of Los Angeles to go green and reduce its environmental and negative health impacts:
The Port of Los Angeles estimates budget savings of $200,000 per year in energy costs as a result of the solar panel installation. And, it is just the first step in an overall plan to increase the size of the solar panel system from 1 MW to 10 MW!
Cutting down on diesel emissions and switching to clean, renewable solar power for port-side electricity will help both the people of Los Angeles and the globe breathe a little easier!
Tags: california ports solar, green ports, port of los angeles, solar panels, solar power, solar power cruise ships, solar power ports, solar power shipping
December 31st, 2010 at 2:44 am
I have read many news and articles about solar plane, solar bus, solar bus stop. But this is amazing a solar powered ship. Everyone should know about this changing climate. Go Solar!!!
July 4th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Absolutely makes sense. No point running those smoggy diesel engines when in port.