Panels for Powell's!

Northwest bookstore goes solar, gets compared to candy 2

Powell's
Photo: Thomas Hawk
Hearing the news that Oregon darling Powell's Books is getting a crapload of solar panels is akin to learning that Santa recycles or Mother Teresa loved to compost. Yep, Powell's -- especially the block-long location in downtown Portland with color-coded rooms -- is that beloved.

Construction has already started on a 100-kilowatt PV system topping the warehouse in northwest Portland. And in December, Powell's will start using the sun's juice from one of Oregon's biggest solar panel installations, which will reportedly pay for itself in five years. And for all you Doubting Debbies, sure, the Northwest is drizzly -- anybody see Twilight? -- but the panels should provide 70 percent of the energy that panels in southern Arizona would.

But wait a sec -- they want to redesign the main store? And dangle an 18-foot decorative cube over the entrance? Um, I've seen enough action movies with crashing chandeliers to be afraid. And this quote, from Powell's CEO of strategic development, simply defies commentary: "We consider [the current] building as a vanilla wrapper and when you open it you find something delightful. [The new one] is a more exhibitionist building. As a business, we're excited about it."

Holly Richmond is a Seattle-based freelance writer and editor, and was previously Grist’s editorial intern and marketing assistant.

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  1. tlabadie Posted 12:53 pm
    25 Nov 2008

    70% of sunny equals overcast?Solar panels in Oregon produce 70% of the electricity of their counterparts in Arizona? Really?
    References please. Preferably not from the owner of Energy Design.

    - The truth always sounds like what you already believe.

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  2. Tricina Posted 2:54 am
    26 Nov 2008

    Giant cube? Really?While the idea of solar panels, rain water collection and a rooftop garden are all great, the giant cube strikes me as a little odd. I don't think the people of Portland necessarily want Powell's to get a face lift. It is a essential part of Portland and Portlanders are fiercely protective of their city. But who knows? Maybe they'll dig it.

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