Alexis Ann Acohido
Figures 1-2.
Photovoltaic panel
installations at the
Gemini South Cerro
Pachón facility in Chile
(top and bottom).
Gemini Harnesses the Sun
from Both
Hemispheres
In 2015 the Observatory installed
photovoltaic (PV) panels on the Gemini North Maunakea facility. Now we
have done the same on the Gemini
South Cerro Pachón facility and the
Gemini North Hilo Base Facility. The
effort is part of our commitment to
positive stewardship of our planet
and eco-efficient operations.
Installation of an impressive 680 panels at the Gemini South Cerro Pachón
facility was completed in late June,
2016, and the cabling phase to connect them to Gemini’s electrical system should be completed by the
release of this issue of GeminiFocus.
The panels are on the rooftop adjacent to the telescope dome, as well
as mounted on the ground (Figures 1
and 2), and are estimated to provide
~20% of the annual power consumption at the telescope.
July 2016
GeminiFocus
19