flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

California cuts its carbon footprint with solar

Sponsored Content Energy Efficiency

California cuts its carbon footprint with solar

Over the life of the combined systems, more than 580,000 tons of carbon dioxide will be eliminated.


By Panasonic | March 16, 2015
California Cuts its Carbon Footprint with Solar

Photo courtesy of Panasonic

As a society, we’re more aware than ever of the difference we can make purchasing smart, sustainable products and the role we can play shifting to cleaner, greener solutions like renewable energy. As we strive to make our own decisions with environmental responsibility in mind, we expect the companies we know and love to do the same.

Universities, shopping centers, sports arenas, charitable foundations, utilities, and beyond are working with Panasonic to develop bold solar solutions. Why? For many, installing solar is the go-to option for meeting sustainability goals, enhancing reputation in social responsibility, and reducing operating costs.

In fact, the Solar Energy Industries Association recently reported that between 2010 and 2014, residential, non-residential, and utility PV market segments grew significantly year over year. At present, there are more than 15,900 MW of cumulative solar electric capacity operating in the U.S. That’s a dramatic amount of renewable sun power and a monumental step forward on the path to cleaner, greener energy.

Sustainability Savings

Last spring, Panasonic completed a 16.2 megawatt portfolio of California Renewable Energy Small Tariff (CREST) projects.  Spanning four locations in Central Valley, the systems pack a lot of power and are prime examples of the real-life benefits of going solar. Over the life of the combined systems, more than 580,000 tons of carbon dioxide will be eliminated. Here’s a peak at what that looks like in…

Waste. Unfortunately, waste is an everyday reality, but what we do with it can make a world of difference. Recycling programs across the nation have helped our communities become more sustainable. While these programs play a crucial part in the “greening” of our society, to reach the level of CO2 eliminated by the Central Valley portfolio it would take recycling 1,836,513 tons of waste.

Trees. Trees purify our air, absorbing CO2 through the process of photosynthesis. The amount of CO2 eliminated by the Central Valley solar systems rival the work of more than 13,541,378 trees. That’s a lot of green.

Households. Unfortunately, the safe haven where we rest our feet and sit down to an evening meal is actually a leading producer of CO2 due to its high consumption of electricity. To reach the level of emissions reduced by Panasonic’s solar installations, you’d have to displace CO2 from the annual electric use of 65,893 homes.

Gasoline. We all know that cars are a leading producer of CO2. Day in and day out, we pay a pretty penny at the pump, but so does our planet. How much CO2 could be eliminated if we were to avoid using 59,279,850 gallons of gasoline? You guessed it, right around 580,000 tons.

Producing both economic and environmental benefits, the savings generated by solar are clear. From stadiums to retail facilities, universities to airports, professionals managing all types of buildings are partnering with Panasonic to develop comprehensive solar solutions. Working together, installing solar becomes more efficient and cost-effective than ever before. 

Related Stories

| Sep 13, 2010

Committed to the Core

How a forward-looking city government, a growth-minded university, a developer with vision, and a determined Building Team are breathing life into downtown Phoenix.

| Sep 13, 2010

Data Centers Keeping Energy, Security in Check

Power consumption for data centers doubled from 2000 and 2006, and it is anticipated to double again by 2011, making these mission-critical facilities the nation's largest commercial user of electric power. With major technology companies investing heavily in new data centers, it's no wonder Building Teams see these mission-critical facilities as a golden opportunity, and why they are working hard to keep energy costs at data centers in check.

| Sep 13, 2010

3D Prototyping Goes Low-cost

Today’s less costly 3D color printers are attracting the attention of AEC firms looking to rapidly prototype designs and communicate design intent to clients. 

| Aug 11, 2010

ASHRAE Receives NIST Grant to Study IAQ in Retail Stores

The American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has been awarded $1.5 million dollars in grant money from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct a three-year research project on ventilation and indoor air quality in retail stores.

| Aug 11, 2010

UC Merced researchers receive $568,000 grant to develop solar sensing, tracking system 

Alberto Cerpa, an engineering professor at the University of California Merced, has received a $568,202 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a system that will measure and track the amount of sunlight that reaches ground level where photovoltaic panels and solar concentrators used in solar energy systems collect light and heat to turn into electricity.

| Aug 11, 2010

ASHRAE publishes paper on HVAC and airborne diseases

As health and school officials deal with a second wave of the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, ASHRAE has published information on health consequences of exposure to such airborne infectious diseases and the implications on the design, installation, and operation of HVAC systems.

| Aug 11, 2010

SPRI expands membership to include green roof and photovoltaic component suppliers

SPRI, the association representing sheet membrane and component suppliers to the commercial roofing industry, recently approved a bylaw revision expanding its membership to include companies that represent emerging technologies, such as photovoltaic and vegetative roof components.

| Aug 11, 2010

Guggenheim and Google team up on shelter design competition

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Google yesterday announced the launch of Design It: Shelter Competition, a global, online initiative that invites the public to use Google Earth and Google SketchUp to create and submit designs for virtual 3-D shelters for a location of their choice anywhere on Earth. The competition opened on June 8, 2009, in honor of Frank Lloyd Wright’s birthday, and closes to submissions on August 23.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021