Energy prices will stay high for the
foreseeable future. The sooner we
produce solar power, the sooner we can cut our dependance on PG&E.
The roofs of the Library, the fire stations, and many other city
buildings are
perfect places to install solar pannels.
This was one of the first things I saw
at Cal State Northridge when I visited a year or so ago. It was the
biggest solar array I have ever seen. The thing covered at least four
rows of parking stalls, and must have been at least 50 feet long. Aside
from providing electric power during the days, it was also doing duty
as a shade structure in the faculty parking lot. Mountain View has
plenty of city owned parking lots where shade would be appreciated. If
it pays for itself in power bills prevented, so much the better!
I have seen other peoples pictures of structures like the above in
Sacramento that belong to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District
(SMUD).