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Chevron is putting solar technologies to the test

Los Angeles Times -- On a dirt plot near Bakersfield where a massive refinery once churned out gasoline and asphalt, one of the world's largest oil companies is looking for something more green.

On Monday, Chevron Corp. plans to reveal that it has transformed the 8-acre site into a sprawling test facility with 7,700 solar panels. The panels, in various sizes, represent seven cutting-edge photovoltaic technologies from seven companies that Chevron is checking out as possible candidates to power its operations worldwide.

Cost savings from past energy efficiency efforts have been significant, the company said. Since 1992, when Chevron began tracking its power use and using hydrogen fuel cells and solar panels at its facilities, the company cut its energy use by nearly a third and saved nearly $3 billion, King s


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Submitted Mar 22, 2010 By: fordmexico
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REPLIES (newest first)
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:40:19 PM

maybe someone is smarter than the rest out there in Pig Oil Party land..?
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remay
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 8:43:34 AM

sounds good ...
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JimL1
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 8:01:04 AM

I tend to look for the ulterior motives of any large corporation's decision. By doing this with the property, are they avoiding having the property checked for toxic chemical contamination?
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MUSTANGSRUS
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:49:43 AM

Hope it works out for them. At least they are trying.
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CLM06
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:48:50 AM

By saving energy at Chevron means more oil for everyone else
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wwcj
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:46:55 AM

It seems like a good move as long as they are buying USA made panels and not any Chicoms made. Remeber we need the green jobs (if any) not other countries!
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9C1
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:41:59 AM

If the price of gas goes up their shareholders will be happy. It is the consumer who takes it in the shorts.
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PurduePete86
All-Star Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:40:42 AM

How is taking out refining capacity a good thing for us? Yes happy that we have green energy, but the big win here is for Chevron with higher gas prices and more profit as the result. And I'm sure our tax dollars paid for this, Thanks Obama, great job.

[Edited by: PurduePete86 at 3/22/2010 7:41:57 AM EST]
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ronsimonil
All-Star Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:36:58 AM

I agree with jppezz. We must use all of the recourses we have.
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rvn4me
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:36:52 AM

Saving all of this money and raising the price of gas and fuel. Their stockholders should be very happy.
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Spetsnaz
Champion Author Dayton

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:36:43 AM

Could be a great investment.
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throttle
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:36:07 AM

Every initiative helps.
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FocusGuy
Champion Author Seattle

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:35:17 AM

thats too bad that an oil company is into something like this. I love to read the oil company basher crowd every day.
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bcb_albany
Rookie Author Albany

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:31:24 AM

Way to put some of those huge profits to good use!
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gasandgoAL
Champion Author Alabama

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:28:44 AM

at least Chevron is moving forward
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turbosaab
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:28:39 AM

I don't think we're seeing the whole story. What's the cost of the alternative energy?
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jppezz
Champion Author New Mexico

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:24:58 AM

Solar and wind power is great,we should do it but they cannot power the whole country we need every other source we have.Like nuclear and coal geothermal, and yes oil and natural gas.We have these sources lets's use them all.
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Jamer
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:24:27 AM

Good for Chevron, I hope more oil companies follow suit.
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REVLAW
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:24:18 AM

What is needed is individual energy independence. (On second thought, perhaps individual freedom from government. But, "give unto Caesar".) Just installed a Rinnia tankless hot water heating system in the house to cut the cost of heating water. The solar panels did not seem like the best option. But, solar panels are looking more acceptable for sourcing electricity needs as time passes. Perhaps, if assurances can be made they withstand hail damage and the initial expense becomes more affordable.
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THEDodgeman
Champion Author Denver

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:23:27 AM

GOOD LUCK.........
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hwnguy
Champion Author Honolulu

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:22:31 AM

We need more of this kind of concept.
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Joeski1
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:20:08 AM

they better get on board now....

the solar/wind train is picking up momentum....

soon it will be going down the track too fast to jump on...
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Rick01
Champion Author Utah

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:17:06 AM

Finally some big money getting into the picture!
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tomok
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:14:14 AM

Find out which one is the best, then let us know. Renewable energy from solar, wind, thermal, tidal, hydro and/or nuclear. Solar cells and wind turbines installed on house roofs to help power the house and maybe sell surplus electricity back to the power company. Maybe charge that new EV for free too, after the initial cost of the renewable energy system.
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tankneverfull
Champion Author Charlotte

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:14:08 AM

Good for Chevron, keep up the good work.
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Bill100
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:13:52 AM

Sounds like a plan.
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bumpygas
Champion Author Nebraska

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:13:42 AM

What is there to test? Solar energy has been proven to work a long time ago. Another way to make it look like a big oil company is spending their "greed money" wisely.
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danno27
All-Star Author Miami

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:13:04 AM

So Chevron will use solar power to provide the energy necessary to sustain refinery and drilling ops ?
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Bou
Champion Author Maine

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:12:10 AM

Ok.
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lucky69
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:06:16 AM

keep it up, maybe one day...
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CSharpGuy
Champion Author Colorado Springs

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 7:04:30 AM

Hope for the best.
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Fitwit
Champion Author Stockton

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 6:23:40 AM

Sounds like it could be promising.
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cheapertvs
Champion Author Richmond

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 6:10:44 AM

There is something imagewise to being an early adopter.
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twobroke61
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 6:07:04 AM

it is a start and hope it works out
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subnuke
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 6:06:55 AM

We will see if it works.
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nb52
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 6:06:18 AM

Hey I've got 10 acres here in Michigan they can use to "solar up".
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FMREALTOR
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 6:02:11 AM

good for Chevron, glad to see them doing this.
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stpetebp
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:58:05 AM

Its a start
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katmandue
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:57:53 AM

A cheaper way to make gas interesting.
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Redink
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:56:31 AM

Perhaps they realize that being involved with alternative energy may benefit them in the future.
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jimshell
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:56:28 AM

There must be alot of sunshine in Bakersfield.
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Badmoon
Champion Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:56:25 AM

More companies should be doing that!
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Badmoon
Champion Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:55:42 AM

That is pretty significant!
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neptune2008
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:53:25 AM

good step!
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afghaned
Champion Author Hamilton

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:53:19 AM

Being responsible is a good thing.
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Cachase1
Champion Author Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:49:06 AM

Well, at least that company seems to know that the end is near for such wide usage of oil and is preparing to make money off of the alternatives.
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BBHybrid
Champion Author Pittsburgh

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:41:22 AM

more alternatives is a good thing
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Hunter724
Champion Author New Hampshire

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:38:15 AM

Great!, Glad to hear so good news..........
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Metroman
Champion Author Philadelphia

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:38:02 AM

Of course they are going to get in on it, just like any other technology, they think will cut their profits
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danny999
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:35:06 AM

GOTTA SAY OK TO CHEVRON FOR THIS LITTLE TID BIT.sOLAR WILL BE EXTREMEMLY IMPORTANT TO OUR FUTURE.
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