SAS to Build (1 MW) Solar Power Farm (NC)

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1714935/

SAS, a provider of business intelligence and analytics software, working with Progress Energy Carolinas and SunPower, will develop a solar electric power farm on the company's Cary, NC, headquarters campus.

Scheduled to go online in late 2008, the project is the latest in the company's continuing sustainability efforts to conserve environmental resources.

"I'm fortunate to participate in global business forums with some of the world's finest corporate and government leaders. Without fail, the environment ranks among their top concerns. Additionally, our employees and customers expect us to be responsible corporate citizens. This solar farm is one small gesture among many green initiatives within SAS to diminish the impact on our environment," said SAS CEO Jim Goodnight. "Future generations depend on us to do the right thing today."

Covering five acres, the 1-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar array will feature SunPower Tracker solar tracking systems. The Tracker tilts toward the sun as it moves across the sky, increasing energy capture by up to 25 percent over fixed systems while reducing land-use requirements. SAS' solar farm is estimated to generate 1.7 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 1,600 tons annually. This is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions from the consumption of more than 167,000 gallons of gasoline.

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I may have to rethink my dislike of SAS

1 MW is a drop in the bucket.

We need to be creating solar plants that produce hundreds or thousands of megawatts to make any sort of difference.

but it's doing something.
It might not be a major amount but is should be more than enough to power themselves plus some of the community.

If it encourages others to follow similar plans on a local level it's worth more than 1 megawatt.

As long as the are not planting grass which would require water, fertilizer, pesticides, cutting( which would require gasoline), etc. I don't care what they do with the land underneath the solar panels.