Google will be partnering with EI Solutions, to begin installation of 9,200 (1.6 megawatts) of solar photovoltaic panels at their Mountain View campus. This project will be the largest solar installation on any corporate campus in the U.S., and maybe even the world.
The panels will cover the roofs of the four main buildings of the Googleplex, and also those of two additional buildings across the street. There will also be a portion of the installation on new solar panel support structures in a few parking lots. The amount of electricity that will be generated is equivalent to powering about 1,000 average California homes.
The electricity will be used to power several of Google’s Mountain View office facilities, offsetting approximately 30% of their peak electricity consumption at those buildings.
The system cost Google $3 million dollars, but will pay for itself within 15 years according to EI Solutions. Savings will be around $393,000 per year