Solar System Will Power New Dropbox Office

Dropbox provides a handy and free service that allows you to share documents, videos and photos with people. Founded in 2007, the site has over 300 million users globally. Its new San Francisco office, which is LEED Platinum certified, will feature a solar energy system designed by UGE, a global distributed renewable energy company. The 25.2 kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic system will supply enough energy to offset the electricity used in the six-story building designed by William McDonough Partners. The PV system will feature 84 300-watt solar panels.

"On-site renewable energy will power a sustainable future for Dropbox -- a visible step forward for an innovative company located in the heart of the tech capital of the world," Scott Van Pelt, director of engineering at UGE, said in a statement. "UGE's software tools have played a crucial role in designing efficient solar and wind systems based on site-specific resources, so it's both exciting and fitting that one of our energy solutions will top the headquarters of a leader in cloud technology."

UGE has designed other renewable energy (wind and solar), lighting and battery storage systems for global companies, including Hilton, BMW, Ford, BMW and Ford:

• The Hilton Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, installed six UGE wind turbines on its roof.


• UGE designed a hybrid renewable energy system for a BMW dealership in Beijing, China, consisting of five wind turbines and 100 kW of solar panels.


• A Ford dealership in Ontario, Canada, installed an UGE wind turbine to power its brand sign located in front of the site. The wind turbine is located next to the sign.

UGE also designed and supplied a renewable energy outdoor lighting system for a Whole Foods store in Brooklyn, New York, and a renewable energy system for the Philadelphia Eagles’ stadium. The Brooklyn Whole Foods, opened in December 2013, features 19 UGE Sanya SLS streetlights which are powered by both the wind and sun. The store also features two UGE Sanya Skypump electric vehicle charging stations. The store achieved LEED Platinum certification.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ stadium is the first professional stadium in the U.S. to install a renewable energy system capable of generating all of the electricity needed onsite. The system features both wind turbines and solar panels which produce about six times the amount of power needed every year for all of the team’s home games.

Image credit: UGE