Park in the shade and charge when you leave

Parking lot with solar panels as canopies and charging stations serving guests of the famous Brutalist-style Hotel Marcel in New Haven, Conn.

— Photo by pedrik

Adapted from Robert Whitcomb’s “Digital Diary,’’ in GoLocal24.com

Having done more driving in New England than I had wished the last few weeks, I’ve passed many parking lots. It struck me how useful it would be if many could be roofed with solar panels, as above.

Placing solar canopies on parking lots makes use of land that’s already cleared — no chopping down trees — produces electricity close to those who need it, and shades cars from sun, rain and snow.

The Marcel was designed by famous modernist architect Marcel Breuer. It operates as a zero-energy building, generating enough renewable energy to sustain its operations.

— Photo by Ɱ