SEAT starts installing solar panels on Martorell factory roof
As we announced, SEAT is trying to maximize the possibilities of the sunny Mediterranean climate for its factory in Martorell, near Barcelona, Spain. SEAT's plan is ambitious, and could allow the plant to be able to function almost off the grid. The factory will use 320,000 m2 of solar panels on the roof, the equivalent of 10 MW of electric power. Annually, the plant could generate 13 million kWh. That's enough to power 3,000 homes and will save up to 6,200 metric tons of CO2. The first project will start working next year, and will be Spain's second largest photovoltaic installation. Now let's see if solar power can be used for the Brisa and Duna models
[Source: SEAT]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sean C 10:53PM (11/13/2009)
This is awesome. I love seeing news like this. If only more companies would do this. You don't necessarily have to be in a sunny climate to benefit (look at Germany), and with generous 30% investment tax credits from the Feds, it make it much more affordable. The prices of PV are declining rapidly and some studies indicate they could reach 'grid parity' within 5 years, costing no more than conventional peak generation methods (natural gas).
While these are all grid tied systems they must strive to offset as much of they're energy needs on an annual basis as possible. Even in my city (Seattle) it is possible on my small house to generate nearly as much as I use on an annual basis, due to the long summer days. Newer technologies such as microinverters are making PV even more competitive.
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jpm 4:51AM (11/14/2009)
Heard of First Solar? They do thin film PV power plants and I do believe they have reached grid parity or are awfully close:
http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/renewables/first-solar-quest-for-the-1-watt/0
”Today we’re looking at $1.50 per watt, and by 2010 our goal is going to be $0.70 per watt,” says Steinmann.
Well it's almost 2010 so I wonder what the $/watt is?
Swede 8:10AM (11/14/2009)
Opel in Zaragosa did this years ago.
Sean C 2:54PM (11/14/2009)
Yes I have heard of First Solar. However, installed costs are still fairly high. Many more manufacturers will reach these costs in the coming years. Installed costs are also falling as innovations come to market.
Atlas 3:18AM (11/14/2009)
Excellent news indeed.
Now let's put solar panels on cars, Seat you get that?
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Laurens 6:17AM (11/14/2009)
Why not sails?
OT: if there is a pay back, install PV's. Hopefully without subsidies, that money should go to more effective CO2 abatement measures.
gorr 11:09PM (11/14/2009)
They gonna need extra electricity anyway if they start building electric phev, hybrids, ev's,mild hybrids, full hybrids, start-stop capabilities, regenerative breaking, aluminium extrusion, bio-fuel crakings because they're have to charge the batteries they'll sell and for the business expantion.
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john 1:27PM (11/15/2009)
The "Source" link points to a protected email that nobody can read. How about linking to a public press release or something instead, ok?
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