News Two new solar arrays coming online in 2023 will double Walt Disney World's solar capability

[wdwmagic]

Two new solar arrays coming online in 2023 will double Walt Disney World's solar capability

40% of Walt Disney World's energy will be powered by the sun when the new arrays come online in 2023.

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[lazyboy97o]

I know they’re the easiest, cheapest and most efficient way of building them, but I find clearing land for solar to be a bit hypocritical. Why not do things like solar shades on those massive parking lots? Why wasnt Galactic Starcruiser oriented east-west and fitted with something like a solar rain screen?

 

[monothingie]

You can't help but wonder why solar panel canopies aren't being installed in their massive parking lots.
(I guess it's cheaper to just reclaim farmland)

I wonder how much carbon is generated from the nightly pyrotechnic shows and all the busses that criss cross the property?

 

[Skibum1970]

I know they’re the easiest, cheapest and most efficient way of building them, but I find clearing land for solar to be a bit hypocritical. Why not do things like solar shades on those massive parking lots? Why wasnt Galactic Starcruiser oriented east-west and fitted with something like a solar rain screen?

This. 1000x, this. Solar shades over the parking lots would help build solar capacity and would help cars not be 150 degrees after baking in the hot summer sun. Heck, it would even give shelter from rainstorms. Clearing trees that help reduce CO2 in the air is the opposite of "being green".

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I know they’re the easiest, cheapest and most efficient way of building them, but I find clearing land for solar to be a bit hypocritical. Why not do things like solar shades on those massive parking lots? Why wasnt Galactic Starcruiser oriented east-west and fitted with something like a solar rain screen?

Because they wouldn't want to do anything to raise customer satisfaction?

 

[danlb_2000]

I know they’re the easiest, cheapest and most efficient way of building them, but I find clearing land for solar to be a bit hypocritical. Why not do things like solar shades on those massive parking lots? Why wasnt Galactic Starcruiser oriented east-west and fitted with something like a solar rain screen?

The Guardians of the Galaxy queue building is oriented south, that would be a perfect place to put solar panels.

 

[HauntedPirate]

It's too bad Disney has never put solar panels over a parking lot before, that would be an ideal solution in Florida. Oh wait...

It's as if they are looking to score cheap points with the "green" crowd and don't actually care to think about what they are doing beyond scoring said points.

 

[NelsonRD]

I know they’re the easiest, cheapest and most efficient way of building them, but I find clearing land for solar to be a bit hypocritical. Why not do things like solar shades on those massive parking lots? Why wasnt Galactic Starcruiser oriented east-west and fitted with something like a solar rain screen?

It is because to make meaningful electrical generation, they require large surface areas, and easy access for cleaning and maintenance. To replace a traditional electric generation plant, it would require square miles of coverage. Additionally, solar panels are only 30% efficient, when all in direct sunlight, which I agree is better than nothing. However, if any part of solar panels are shaded by clouds, the efficiency of the whole array is reduced. Load forecasting is difficult because the electricity generated is use or lose, and there is no storage.

Legoland has covered solar parking, and helps, but to solve our increasing electrical energy needs, solar is not enough.

 

[larryz]

I wonder how much carbon is generated from the nightly pyrotechnic shows and all the busses that criss cross the property?

I wonder how much CO2 was generated in the manufacturing of all those solar panels.

 

[GimpYancIent]

I know they’re the easiest, cheapest and most efficient way of building them, but I find clearing land for solar to be a bit hypocritical. Why not do things like solar shades on those massive parking lots? Why wasnt Galactic Starcruiser oriented east-west and fitted with something like a solar rain screen?

Uhhhh, common sense, efficiency, good PR and effective multitasking are things lacking at the Disney Co. these days.

 

[Skibum1970]

I wonder how much CO2 was generated in the manufacturing of all those solar panels.

I've often wondered what we're going to do with all of the battery packs in EV's and Hybrid vehicles when the packs die.

 

[HauntedPirate]

It is because to make meaningful electrical generation, they require large surface areas, and easy access for cleaning and maintenance. To replace a traditional electric generation plant, it would require square miles of coverage. Additionally, solar panels are only 30% efficient, when all in direct sunlight, which I agree is better than nothing. However, if any part of solar panels are shaded by clouds, the efficiency of the whole array is reduced. Load forecasting is difficult because the electricity generated is use or lose, and there is no storage.

Legoland has covered solar parking, and helps, but to solve our increasing electrical energy needs, solar is not enough.

What is larger and easier to access than Disney theme park parking lots? Need to clean/maintain a section? Close those rows that day. There are plenty more for people to park in these days.

 

[NelsonRD]

What is larger and easier to access than Disney theme park parking lots? Need to clean/maintain a section? Close those rows that day. There are plenty more for people to park in these days.

Fair enough. They can still be maintained via rooftop, but will they be?
It's a good start, but there are still a lot of unrealistic expectations regarding solar panels.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Fair enough. They can still be maintained via rooftop, but will they be?
It's a good start, but there are still a lot of unrealistic expectations regarding solar panels.

How is something done by Merlin, Six Flags and even Disney an unrealistic expectation?

 

[HauntedPirate]

Fair enough. They can still be maintained via rooftop, but will they be?
It's a good start, but there are still a lot of unrealistic expectations regarding solar panels.

Disney is Focused on Something That Most Guests Will NEVER See!

Disney has some big projects going on OUTSIDE of the park that will make a BIG difference!

allears.net

 

[NelsonRD]

How is something done by Merlin, Six Flags and even Disney an unrealistic expectation?

It is unrealistic to believe adding relativity small sections of solar panels (yes, the Disney farm is relativity small) can make up the difference from closing aging power plants, and support our increased usage.

 

[John park hopper]

Are these panels made in the USA or China?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

How is something done by Merlin, Six Flags and even Disney an unrealistic expectation?

For those unaware of what @lazyboy97o is referencing:

"The main guest parking lot at Disneyland Paris will now host “one of the largest solar canopy plants in Europe,” in collaboration with French company Urbasolar Group.

The plant will cover 17 hectares with 67,500 solar panels, so as to cover up to 9,000 parking places. This is equivalent to almost 24 football fields placed next to one another."

Disneyland Paris is building a solar farm as big as 24 football fields

The number one European theme park is switching its slogan to, ‘where ecological dreams come true’.

www.euronews.com

 

[lazyboy97o]

It is unrealistic to believe adding relativity small sections of solar panels (yes, the Disney farm is relativity small) can make up the difference from closing aging power plants, and support our increased usage.

Who said anything close to that?

 

[danlb_2000]

What is larger and easier to access than Disney theme park parking lots? Need to clean/maintain a section? Close those rows that day. There are plenty more for people to park in these days.

This project is two arrays covering 1000 acres. The largest parking lot is MK at 134 acres, so to get the same size they would need cover numerous parking lots. Still a better idea in my eyes, but it would add to the overhead.