One of the best ways to convince people to change to renewable energy resources is with a solar demonstration project. So why not take it “downtown” with a solar parking lot? In fact, why not in the most visible, sought-after parking facility in Atlanta, GA?
Luckie Street Atlanta, GA
Ted Turner has created the “Luckie Street Solar Project” on a site adjacent to his headquarters in Atlanta. Solar panels have been installed in the first phase of the solar parking lot site on 2-acres. In late 2010, Mr. Turner stated:
“I wanted to do something solar right here in Atlanta as a demonstration project. It is an experiment and demonstration project. When the whole thing gets done, it’s going to power the building and the restaurant.”
The parking lot is across Luckie Street from the Tabernacle performance venue and includes 14 large canopies of solar panels that cover the asphalt parking lot, manufactured by First Solar. In the second phase of the solar parking lot project, 11 additional solar panels from Suniva, Inc. will be incorporated.
Not only will the solar energy generate power for the lighting of the parking lot, but solar power to recharge electric cars will also be available. With shading from the installed solar panels, the heat-island effect of the lot is diminished.
The solar parking lot fronts Centennial Olympic Park Drive overlooking the park. Turner Enterprises will collect data on the solar output of the panels to learn more about the possibilities of using solar energy in the South. When both phases of the soalr demonstration project are completed, the total capacity will be about 200 kilowatt hours (kWh). The clean solar electricity generated by the solar parking lot will offset about 82 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year (burning 9,200 fewer gallons of gasoline). The solar parking lot created by Ted Turner is the largest solar project installed in downtown Atlanta.
Tags: luckie street solar project, solar demonstration project, solar garage, solar panels, solar parking lot, solar ted turner, ted turner
March 28th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
The ideal situation is that you have solar panels installed, hook up to the electricity grid and then use less energy than you contribute so the electric company sends you a check in the mail every month instead of the other way around. Awesome idea, isn’t it? For some people this is already a reality.
March 28th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Yes it is, it’s what we call feed-in-tariff ?
Otherwise, the idea is really good, people need to be advised and need to see the real effects of energy from the sun. It’s the best thing to do if we want to promote solar power in a good way to homeowners and businesses.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:31 am
I like your blog a lot but have a hard time reading it with all of the Chevrolet pop ups very annoying. Wanted to get all the way through it but was soo discouraged I even opted to write you rather than read.
July 6th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Yeah for Ted Turner. We need to do this for every parking lot and every corporate rooftop in Atlanta, and across the South.