New Solar Panels for Sebastopol!

[Barry]

I meant to post this days ago, ....

If you haven't noticed, or noticed something was happening before it became apparent, Sebastopol is putting in a large solar array :sunshine: in Spooner Park, which is the small triangle of law (and formerly) sculptures where 116 changes from two way to 1 way. How cool!

I haven't seen official statement of this, but it's pretty clear from what they've done.

Can anyone fill us in on what's happening and how it came to pass? And what about the wonderful sculptures?

[Sue]

Barry, that's the Sun Dragon! Check the City web site for details about our Solar program. The Dragon will provide power to the adjacent Municipal Well.

[Barry]

Thanks, Sue, but I'm not seeing it. Could you post a link?


Barry, that's the Sun Dragon! Check the City web site for details about our Solar program. The Dragon will provide power to the adjacent Municipal Well.

[MichaelK]

I was wondering when someone would notice the Sun Dragon. Yes, the structure you see under construction is a solar electric system that will provide energy for <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place>Sebastopol</st1:place>’s municipal water system.
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We, however, consider it something different, more like a work of art that happens to have an electrical generating facility mounted on top. The system contains 36 eleven foot square arrays mounted on 11 foot poles. The poles are mostly located along with southwest edge of <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Spooner</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and weave in and out in a gentle curve along Highway 116. The arrays are designed so that as the arrays are moving away from the street the tilt of the arrays increase and as the approach the street the tilt decreases. The undulations will create the appearance of a flowing movement. When complete, the metal poles will be covered with a cylindrical wire trellis and planted with flowering vines. The effect will be feeling that you are in a forest, not a parking lot.
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The overall piece will be approximately 400 feet long, 11 feet wide and up to 16 feet tall. Cumulatively it will weigh 50 tons. I am sure that our local art critics will not criticize it for being whimsical. As an aside, a number of people have stopped by and commented on the existing art pieces being removed, some grateful, others disappointed. The art was removed as a precautionary measure during construction and it will return after the Sun Dragon’s completion. The debate remains the same.
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The electrical generating system also has an inner beauty that may not be apparent to all. The electrical generating capability of the system, the systems inner beauty, has been optimized to produce the highest dollar value possible. The southwest orientation generates the most valuable energy, the varying tilts of the arrays allow for a higher utilization of the systems inverters and will generate greater amounts of energy throughout the year. The position of the arrays minimizes shading during the peak production hours. The design accommodates the function.
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While this project provides electricity to pump our water, and will be interesting visually, the project has a more important purpose. As Ron Basso said at the Design Review Board evaluation, “this project sends a message”.
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Michael Kyes
On behalf of Sebastopol Heat & Cool, Inc.

[jitterbug]

Wow! Talk about form following function! Beautiful!!

[Sue]

Michael, thanks for the dissertation--you said it all, and with eloquence!
Folks, for more information about the City's program of solar installations (many now) click on the Solar Sebastopol logo on the Sebastopol home page: www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us Sue