Times Square Gets Solar-Powered Billboard

[include]

A solar and wind-powered electronic billboard will debut in New York ’s Times Square in December, becoming the flashy intersection’s first eco-friendly ad. Forty-five solar panels and four wind turbines will power the nearly 6,000 square foot billboard, resulting in a reduction of carbon dioxide usage by 18 tons a year.

Times Square Gets Solar-Powered Billboard | LiveScience

[hoon]

Neat idea but it seems like a lot of panels/turbines just to power 1 tv screen.

[fireandrain]

Also kinda shows how much energy is wasted on this sort of crap. I mean who needs huge great screens in Times Square trying to sell you rubbish?

[prashamk]

Actually what we need right now is Solar powered streetlights (which are already available, but I am talking about its mass installation). Its one area where it can effectively work. I have personally seen them installed in various villages of India.

[hefler]

When is this thing due to go live?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/15/ny...oard.html?_r=1

[macgardener]

I just read about this so I'm glad I did a search before starting a new thread.

Originally Posted by fireandrain

Also kinda shows how much energy is wasted on this sort of crap. I mean who needs huge great screens in Times Square trying to sell you rubbish?

Agreed. At least I was pleased to see they aren't using a back-up generator, if they were I would really have thought it was environmental tokenism.

[Windguy]

A times square bilboard. They could invest millions into one and still be a bargain for their monetary output. How many movies and TV shows will be made that may have the billboard behind it? Going green just gave it some extra international press. Thus making it more attractive to movie makers to have the billboard cameo in it.

It just shows going green can sometimes be profitable.