Comments on: More Solar Panels for Columbia Heights? Plus No Nude Performances at the Joint Chiefs

By: Frankie James

Frankie James — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:16 +0000

I may be getting old but who ever made the “direction” decision knew what they were doing.

The Solar Trees work… how about that?

By: Thought

Thought — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:54:05 +0000

3 cheers to DDOT Director Gabe Klein, Aaron Rhones, and Jim Graham for adding paver tiles the extra 40 feet to Newton street in Columbia Heights!

Much appreciated!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:19:35 +0000

I think the cells are all facing the same direction.

Regarding the pavers near Newton Street, I have asked the same question to Jim Grahm and here is what I received:

Thanks for your email. I agree that it would be nice to have a consistent design for the whole block. At the same time I want to be certain that the construction is complete as soon as possible – a number of our local businesses are really suffering as a result of all of this road work.

I am including Director Gabe Klein who can make sure we get a response on both of your questions.
Bests, Jim

CM Graham, DDOT’s original plans for Newton Street were to only address 2/3 of the block, as it relates to sidewalks. However, we have asked our engineers to revisit this and add the remaining portion. In regards to the old light post, yes, we plan to remove ALL of the old light post where power has been official cut off.

Regards,
Rhones, Aaron (DDOT)

By: UrbanOtter

UrbanOtter — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:12:38 +0000

Some light will be reflected, but it will only be a small fraction of the direct sunlight. Hadn’t noticed it before, but I think Taylor is correct — they have created some rather expensive photovoltaic umbrellas

By: taylor.nmt

taylor.nmt — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:21:40 +0000

I think that if the structures are going to face the fountain, they shouldn’t bother making them solar cells. unless the light shining on the cells is direct, full-on sunlight, it’s a waste of money.

By: Drew

Drew — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:32:00 +0000

Does that mean that we can’t have nyotaimori there?

By: calical

calical — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:35:33 +0000

so in SF there is a theatre group called No Nude Men. I’m assuming No nude performance isn’t that but in fact just a statement. please tell me i’m wrong, PoP!

By: Thought

Thought — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:03:16 +0000

@ taylor.nmt: I’m confused. Do you think the panels should face the fountain?

@ Jim Graham: The Columbia Heights Streetscape project ends about 40 feet short of the 14th and Newton intersection. Really? You couldn’t go all the way to the intersection (on the East side)? Really?

The end result is a cheap looking stretch of 14th. Might as well have ended it at the prior intersection.

So, Jim Graham, be a champ and get the contractor to go those extra 40 feet!

By: DC Up

DC Up — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:15:46 +0000

Dear Pop, I heard that solar panels are not recycalbe. Is that true? I guess the consideration is that they last 10 years or so and then they’ll all just end up in a landfill.

So what happens to the solar panel when they need to be replaced?

By: E-Rich

E-Rich — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:02:51 +0000

I’m far from an expert, but I know some PV panels are reflective on both sides. If these panels are pointed toward the fountain, it’s probably to catch light reflected off the water and ground, while the other side absorbs direct sunlight.