Park your car, save the planet-new twist

Jun 11, 2009 No Comments by
I mentioned in an earlier post that the LADWP is borderline hostile to solar energy.  But could there be a potential workaround for those that want to reduce fossil fuel dependence, and uh, actually shade their cars at the same time?

Yes, garages.  I didn’t appreciate mine until I moved to Los Angeles.  They are rare here.  I guess we don’t really need them as we have mild weather, but my car gets dusty, and storage space in LA homes are at a premium.  But a company in France solves both solutions–especially the more pressing issue of creating non-fossil fuel based energy.

Iliopark has a modular carport that generates power for one’s own use, or can transfer back to the grid.  The system can also collect rain water, perfect for parched Los Angeles.  The system could be implemented at large parking lots or at one’s home, and could also be a source for recharging electric vehicles or hooked up to a home’s irrigation system.  Plus the carports can be customized depending on an home owner’s or enterprise’s needs.

The company has installed their carports in Southern France and Australia.  Why not in Los Angeles?  Many Angelinos are reticent to sink a huge amount of money for solar panels on their homes–but carports could be a more viable solution.

energy

About the author

Leon Kaye is the founder and editor of GreenGoPost.com and its advisory division, GGP Media. Contact him to discuss how he can work with your organization or event. His focus is making the business case for sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Currently he is in the United Arab Emirates exploring opportunities. He writes for San Francisco-based Triple Pundit, and now The Guardian , where he writes about waste, water, low carbon initiatives, and green building. He has also written for AIA's Architect Magazine. Leon lives in San Jose, the capital of Silicon Valley, and when he has free time, he enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, weightlifting, and planning his next trip to one of the 50+ countries he has visited. He has an MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business and is also a proud graduate of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Cal State-Fresno.
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