Comments on: Solar Bus Shelter in Corona, California

By: Andrew Ferrick

Andrew Ferrick — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:42:38 +0000

They do not have to, Advertisement companies will be paying for them. They will recupe their investment on the advertisement. The solar is given to the city. Advertisement gets help from Rebates and tax credits. in which bus shelters they install now get nothing. See this is the problem I have a manufacture of this product. You think one dimensional. Capitalize on existing systems and inprove. That way everybody wins.There are already bus shelters with advertisement on them, and cities are only getting revenue from the as space and now they can geet much more. As for the mayor of Corona, she is someone who sees the future and embrasses it and all she had to do is add a few words to their RFP for bus shelters (Grid Tied Solar Bus Shelter).

By: yoni levy

yoni levy — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:26:56 +0000

Ian, can you give me site that I can read nore about what you say?

Thanks,

Yoni.

By: California Solar Engineering

California Solar Engineering — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:04:04 +0000

This is wonderful! I was just at a bus stop thinking that there’s no reason public places like this shouldnt have small scale solar. The start up costs would be low and pay back quick.

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:40:18 +0000

If the entire purpose of installing solar panels was their cost savings, you point would be brilliant.

However, all city projects are not entirely about their fiscal impact (e.g. parks, trees, statues, and fountains).

Corona now has tangible, visible proof that they care about the environment of their residents. Assuming there are a significant number of people in Corona that care about energy independence, global warming, and vote…the finance director’s job will be just fine.

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:59:26 +0000

Total (admittedly retail) cost of parts alone – no fitting

6 * $799 + 6*$220 for the panels and inverters.

= $6114

Generating 1748 Kwh per year at average residential cost of say 12c (http://www.eia.doe.gov/electricity/epm/table5_6_a.html)

Yearly energy cost replaced is $209.76 giving a payback period of 29 years!

I’m all in favour of new Solar/Wind and Ocean generation – but really – 29 years.

Of course with commercial pricing, bulk discounts etc the costs will be lower than this, but then you have to add in installation costs ($1000 per shelter perhaps, materials and labour?) so I don’t see the costs dropping by 50% – which would still be 15 year payback period.

No finance director could justify this – and keep his job. I wonder when the Mayor of Corona is up for re-election.