Oct 9, 2008 11:26 pm US/Pacific
Schwarzenegger Lauds Sunnyvale Solar Parking Lot
SUNNYVALE (BCN) ―
Amid a solar panel-covered parking lot Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Thursday dedicated the two-megawatt solar power system at the Applied Materials Inc., campus in Sunnyvale and called the company a "real California solar success story."
The solar system is comprised of approximately 8,000 wafer-based solar panels and covers an area the size of more than two football fields beneath which employees park their cars, according to the company.
As the sun moves across the sky the solar panels follow their source of energy, creating a shifting pattern of shade across hundreds of company cars and absorbing as much power as possible. The electricity generated is equivalent to the power needed annually for 350 homes.
"They are demonstrating the potential of turning parking lots throughout the state into power plants at a time when we need innovative solutions to the growing energy crisis," Schwarzenegger said of Applied Materials. "They take advantage of one of our state's most famous and abundant resources, the California sun."
Mike Splinter, CEO and president of Applied Materials, called the parking lot solar plant an "important milestone" toward Schwarzenegger's vision of a greener California. He also called the parking lot the "kind of power plant neighbors welcome into their communities."
The carbon replaced by the panels is equivalent to the annual emissions of 450 cars, according to the company.
When the plant was activated in August it was the largest corporate solar power system in the U.S., Splinter said. However, he added, this is one time where Applied Materials doesn't mind getting beat.
"There should be more and larger solar installations going up all over the state and I hope that one day this installation is considered small," Splinter said.
He lauded Schwarzenegger for putting California at the forefront of energy and climate change issues, and for his vision of a green, sustainable state.
"Solar is a tremendous economic development opportunity for our state, and our country, and with the support of leaders like the governor we have the opportunity to make solar a truly meaningful part of our energy supply," said Splinter.
Applied Materials is a global leader in nano-manufacturing technology solutions.
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