Solar power farm coming to Disney

[Monorail_Red_77]

Makes you wonder if Duke Energy would become a Potential Sponsor for UoE...

Maybe they can update the ride while there at it.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Maybe they can update the ride while there at it.

That would have been the whole reason..

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

That would have been the whole reason..

So you would hope....

Wouldn't surprise me a bit if they didn't though. You know slippery slope and all.

 

[PhotoDave219]

No.

There is nothing regarding the Theme Parks, let alone an attraction in this announcement. Stop with the nonsense.

 

[ABQ]

From the article:
The power plant's 48,000 solar panels will be arranged in the shape of a "Disney-inspired design."

So this? :

 

[Nick Pappagiorgio]

Not to derail, however, when speaking of the parking lots, I'm sure no stats are released to the public, but I wonder what the rate of automobile break ins is within the park lots and if covering a great deal of them would increase the occurrences of theft of break ins. Very tough for surveillance in a covered lot scenario.

It also would make maintenance more challenging, and in direct view of guests.

 

[Master Yoda]

So it's roughly the size of the Epcot parking lot, wouldn't it have been so much better to build solar covered parking instead? Would be a neato, visible thing for all, like the roof of Energy and provide a true benefit to all parking there.
To answer @Frankie The Beer , I think I read that it takes a little more than 30 acres to power 1,000 homes. Now, the type of solar collection is a variable and how one equates 1,000 homes to anything in a resort is beyond me.

For much the same reasons that you only build a parking garage if you don't have room for a parking lot you would only incorporate a solar farm into a parking lot if you have did not have the room for a dedicated solar farm.

A dedicated solar farm will be able to generate more power per square foot, will cost less to build and there is next to a zero chance of a tourist smashing their rental car into thousands of dollars worth of solar panels.

 

[ABQ]

It also would make maintenance more challenging, and in direct view of guests.

I guess that answers the question about the lights on the Grand Floridian.

j/k

 

[PhotoDave219]

I have no idea where they plan to build this, outside of what's given in the article, however, for reference, here's an approximation of 20 acres.View attachment 94464

One would think that its going to go somewhere near existing power lines. Thanks for the approximation.

Makes you wonder if Duke Energy would become a Potential Sponsor for UoE...

Its not happening. There's nothing to lead anyone to think that.

So it's roughly the size of the Epcot parking lot, wouldn't it have been so much better to build solar covered parking instead? Would be a neato, visible thing for all, like the roof of Energy and provide a true benefit to all parking there.
To answer @Frankie The Beer , I think I read that it takes a little more than 30 acres to power 1,000 homes. Now, the type of solar collection is a variable and how one equates 1,000 homes to anything in a resort is beyond me.

I agree with that and suggested it awhile back. Very similar to what several sports stadiums have. And knowing Disney, they could charge extra for the shade-covered spots.

I would assume they would probably put it west of World Drive since there is backstage infrastructure and such near Bear Island Road.

Disney already said it will be near World Drive and Epcot Center Drive. That being said, a second one off Bear Island Road would make sense too.

 

[novawildcat18]

Six Flags Great Adventure announced something like this (albeit bigger) and there was a good amount of backlash.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Here's another possible location. I have a feeling there are many spots at this intersection where they could build it. However, according to current property records this location in red is not designated already as conservation area and it is pretty close to size already at 55 acres.

All of the area around this with the little tree graphics is designated conservation lands. I am sure though that those designations can be changed before your mickey ears hit the floor.

View attachment 94466

Well Thats damn useful. One would think thats the logical place its going. Good find.

 

[NelsonRD]

If I am correct, these are not going to be solar panels as you may think. I think this will be a series of movable mirrors, that will direct sunlight to a central point, which will then heat up, and be used to boil water, where the steam generated will then be used to turn steam generators. Therefore, nothing secondary this can be used for - as the mirrors are always moving and must stay clean.

 

[PhotoDave219]

For much the same reasons that you only build a parking garage if you don't have room for a parking lot you would only incorporate a solar farm into a parking lot if you have did not have the room for a dedicated solar farm.

A dedicated solar farm will be able to generate more power per square foot, will cost less to build and there is next to a zero chance of a tourist smashing their rental car into thousands of dollars worth of solar panels.

Well MAYBE they could look at the feasibility of putting solar on the top of the DTD garages? In such a fashion that the guests could not drive a car into them.

 

[Master Yoda]

Well MAYBE they could look at the feasibility of putting solar on the top of the DTD garages? In such a fashion that the guests could not drive a car into them.

You run into the same thing.

If it is a college campus or a shopping mall where nearly every square meter is spoken for, installing them on top of existing structures becomes the only option. However, when you have tens of thousands of acres of empty land you own, a dedicated solar farm is the way to go if they are serious about generating a fair amount of power.

Right now solar panels are not efficient enough for small installs like the ones you see in parking lots and the like to be much more than a publicity stunt especially when you look at the power consumption of commercial buildings. (most produce less then just a few percentage points of what is needed) There will most likely be a day in the future where they are efficient enough to make a dent, but until that day comes, bigger is better.

 

[ford91exploder]

Well MAYBE they could look at the feasibility of putting solar on the top of the DTD garages? In such a fashion that the guests could not drive a car into them.

Washington and Lee University has a solar array over their central parking garage which produces 5% of the power used on campus.

 

[Matt in the Hatt]

Six Flags Great Adventure announced something like this (albeit bigger) and there was a good amount of backlash.

what was the complaint?

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

what was the complaint?

Environmentalist lawsuit against the park for cutting down the trees..http://www.app.com/story/news/local...e-lawsuit-stop-six-flags-solar-farm/26892107/

 

[PhotoDave219]

Six Flags Great Adventure announced something like this (albeit bigger) and there was a good amount of backlash.

Environmentalist lawsuit against the park for cutting down the trees..http://www.app.com/story/news/local...e-lawsuit-stop-six-flags-solar-farm/26892107/

Shouldn't be an issue as there's already land designated for conservation everywhere. None of that should be disturbed.

 

[ABQ]

If I am correct, these are not going to be solar panels as you may think. I think this will be a series of movable mirrors, that will direct sunlight to a central point, which will then heat up, and be used to boil water, where the steam generated will then be used to turn steam generators. Therefore, nothing secondary this can be used for - as the mirrors are always moving and must stay clean.

I'm thinking it will be traditional cell collectors, just basing this on the "48,000 panels" That just sounds like an astonishing number if it's reflectors and not collectors.

 

[andysol]

Ok, how much actual power can a solar plant that size actually produce? Nuclear power that size could probably power the whole resort, but solar? Hopefully this is more than just a nice "we're green" photo op.

Sorry to break it to you, but this is just a nice "we're green" photo op in the shape of Mickey's head.