Covering large parking lots with solar panels is an idea that goes back decades but in America at least it’s an idea that has never really taken off.

What is the reason for that? Is it due to the overall cost or is there something else that keeps Walmart, Target, Costco, Sams Club, Malls, etc. from covering their parking lots with these panels and selling the power?

  • Usernameblankface@lemmy.world
    3·
    4 months ago

    I’ve seen other discussions come to the conclusion that rooftop solar on a warehouse size building would be more expensive than the whole infrastructure of parking lot shades. They said that the entire structure would need reinforcement. Not a problem on new buildings, they can be designed to take the extra weight from the start

    • Codilingus@sh.itjust.works
      1·
      4 months ago

      A girl I dated works for a company that has a “rubble site,” they essentially tried solar on the roof, and it eventually collapsed the roof in and ruined the entire building.