How It Works
Environmentally friendly technology solutions are at the core of what we do here at CG Tech Services. Our solar-powered web and email hosting takes environmentally friendly practices to the extreme. The data center we use for our web and email hosting services is the first and only completely solar-powered data center in the country. Unlike other green-hosting solutions, we do not use carbon offsets to balance out the emissions. Instead using this data center eliminates the pollutants before they are created, preventing them from affecting the environment.
From solar energy to rainwater collection and natural lighting, no detail is too small. For more information on our solar-powered hosting infrastructure, please have a look at the information below.
The data center we use is powered by 120 on-site solar panels which generate electricity for the entire infrastructure, including the air conditioning, lighting, and servers at the data center. It is the first and only 100% completely solar powered, carbon free data center. It's also the first and only data center that does not use energy credits to offset it's own emissions.
The Solar Panel system eliminates the production of harmful emissions which is the equivalent of planting 8 acres of trees per year. Everything is solar-powered, including the servers, a/c systems, offices, networking and other hardware.
Emissions saved each year by the solar panels:
34,488+ pounds of CO2 (Greenhouse)
50.6+ pounds of Nitrogen Oxide (Smog)
37.4+ pounds of Sulfate (Acid Rain)
The data center we use also has 7 solar tubes, which brings in additional natural light from the outside so that the data center doesn't need to use electric lighting during the day. In addition, the solar tubes are constructed from recycled content in the lenses, fasteners, and trim pieces.
Each solar tube replaces 300 watts worth of electric lamps 8hrs a day, 5 days a week.
Emissions saved each year by the solar tubes:
600+ pounds of CO2 (Greenhouse)
2+ pounds of Nitrogen Oxide (Smog)
5+ pounds of Sulfate (Acid Rain)
The data center's air conditioners use the same cooling process that transfers heat to a thunderstorm via atmospheric air. Water is evaporated into air in one chamber and this cools the air flowing in an adjacent chamber. Water vapor in the exhaust air holds the heat and is used for cooling the solar panels and is then renewed by the atmosphere. The air conditioning system eliminates the need for refrigerants by using fresh outdoor air.
Emissions saved each year by:
72,504+ pounds of CO2 (Greenhouse)
106.2+ pounds of Nitrogen Oxide (Smog)
78.8+ pounds of Sulfate (Acid Rain)
According to the Climate Change Research Conference in California, the white building paint reduces planet-heating carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere and keeps the building and surrounding air cooler.
Emissions saved each year:
44,092+ pounds of CO2 (Greenhouse)
64.7+ pounds of Nitrogen Oxide (Smog)
47.8+ pounds of Sulfate (Acid Rain)
Normal data centers use diesel generators to provide backup power. Diesel soot, or diesel particulate, is the number one airborne carcinogen in California. A typical standby diesel generator produces 25-30 pounds of nitrogen oxides (NOx) per megawatt hour of power generated. This is 50 to 60 times the NOx pollution produced per megawatt hour by the typical mix of California, gas-fired, power plants.
Propane also meets the standards set by the federal Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) for reducing acid rain and controlling air pollution in urban areas. The CAAA heralds propane as one of the solutions to a cleaner, healthier environment. Also since propane vaporizes rapidly, it won’t contaminate soil or groundwater.
Internet connectivity is provided by using existing wireless internet towers, some of which are solar powered. There are three separate Internet backbones which are carrier grade wireless FCC Licensed links, similar to the wireless links most telephone and government agencies use. Each wireless dish uses a different mount peak and ISP POP's/Nodes to provide redundancy in case of any failures.
The wireless internet backbones eliminates the need to dig up the ground, roads and other areas if the data center needs more internet feeds or more bandwidth.
Saves the environment by:
Powering radio towers using solar panels
Reducing electronic equipment needs and reduces power consumption
Minimizing the disruption of natural habitats and ground environments
Minimizing the use of heavy machinery which reduces fuel consumption and smog
Just like getting out of a pool in the summer time, a small wind will be enough across your wet skin to create cooling, this process is known as evaporative cooling. The data center's air conditioning systems use mother nature for cooling in a similar fashion. Water is evaporated into air in one chamber and this cools the air flowing in an adjacent chamber. The cold air is used for cooling while the water vapor holding the heat is exhausted outside to be renewed by the atmosphere.
The air conditioning system eliminates the need for refrigerants by using rainwater collected off the data center buildings, which is then used to cool outside air. This cold outside air is then pushed into the data center and it's offices. These methods use 90% less electricity, create an EER of 40+, use water instead of electricity for cooling, and have zero water impact.
Emissions saved each year:
72,504+ pounds of CO2 (Greenhouse)
106.2+ pounds of Nitrogen Oxide (Smog)
78.8+ pounds of Sulfate (Acid Rain)
Using a rainwater collection system, the rainwater collected is used in air conditioning systems for cooling and to water the data center's green roof. The excess water from watering the green roof is recovered by the rainwater collection system.
The rainwater collection system eliminates the need for city water by using rainwater collected off the building. This allows 100% of the water usage to come from mother nature.
Water collection specs:
First flush system to remove water contaminants during first rain
Storage for over 10,000 gallons of water
Air conditioning system drain water is reclaimed for reuse