Unique solar platforms offer new energy solutions
While solar does not provide a comprehensive energy solution (it is not 24/7, and it is impacted by climate/weather), it does work well when paired with natural gas – which is plentiful in Ohio. One of many unique benefits to solar energy is that solar panels can be installed in locations that may have no other marketable use - like landfills!
Landfills are not the only unique platform for solar. President Donald Trump recently announced that the proposed wall on the southern of border of the United States may be equipped with solar panels. This installation could turn the wall into a solar utility that could provide power to areas of Texas and Mexico that are under served. Business Insider has a nice overview of what this development would look like.
Another recent big announcement was Tesla moving into the solar roof space.
"The glass tiles look like regular roof tiles from ground level, but are embedded with photovoltaic solar cells underneath. Tesla claims the glass tiles are more resilient than traditional roof tiles, and the company guarantees them for the lifetime of the house."
You can read more here.
Other intriguing platforms include water and outer space.
McDonald Hopkins is pleased to offer a broad suite of services in the energy area and we have supported a number of wind and solar projects. We are also highly active in the shale space, which I believe may be the most transformative innovation in the last 50 years. This "all of the above" approach to energy policy has allowed the U.S. to approach energy independence and become a net exporter of energy.
McDonald Hopkins recently hosted an exciting Energy Forum – Going Solar in Ohio and Beyond. We convened all of the players in a large solar project set for construction this year in Brooklyn, Ohio. The project will be built on a landfill in Brooklyn, the power will be purchased by Cuyahoga County, and Cleveland Public Power will extend its transmission lines into Brooklyn in order to "wheel" the power. The project is being developed by Enerlogics Solar out of Youngstown
Watch the recorded version of this webcast below.