Up on the roof: Solar power at your plant

April 28, 2015
Your plant doesn't need a large footprint to begin generating its own energy.

Rooftop solar is impacting the machine- and robot-builder OEM market in multiple manners.

Most of what’s reported about solar power concerns large base-station installations, but this type of facility faces limits due to the huge amounts of land required. The highest power density achieved is around 20 W/m2 in desert solar photovoltaic farms, and conventional power plants often have power densities in excess of 1,000 W/m2, writes Robert Wilson in his article, “The Future of Energy: Why Power Density Matters,” on The Energy Collective.

Given the huge amount of land required for solar, it’s no surprise that it generates less than 1% of worldwide power, writes Matt Ridley in his article, “Fossil Fuels Will Save the World (Really),” on The Wall Street Journal online.

To learn more about solar power, read “Machine builders raise the roof with solar” from Control Design.

Sponsored Recommendations

April 14, 2025
This paper addresses where leaks commonly occur, leak detection methods, and practical advice for an audit and repair plan. You'll learn why an ongoing leak detection and repair...
April 14, 2025
This special report explores the latest innovations in compressed air tech to help your facility reduce artificial demand and achieve greater system control. You'll also gain ...
April 14, 2025
Here are some things you can do in between formal preventive maintenance visits on your electric screw compressor to extend compressor life and prevent downtime.
April 14, 2025
They cost more than refrigerated dryers. They need more parts and service than refrigerated dryers. They increase demand for compressed air. So when should you use a desiccant...