Suburban Skyview: Hundreds of solar panels atop Techny Prairie Activity Center in Northbrook

Go ahead, count them.

In this aerial view taken from an altitude of 275 feet, the 833 photovoltaic panels, or solar panels, clearly can be seen situated atop the Northbrook Park District's Net Zero Energy Techny Prairie Activity Center.

The park district's website says in full sunshine, each solar panel produces 360 kilowatt-hours (0.36kWh) of electricity, enough to power 125 smartphones or two flat-screen TVs for an hour.

Construction on the TPAC was taking place when I started to cover Northbrook for the Daily Herald three years ago. A year later, I had the opportunity to photograph the building in use by members of the community, not long after its opening.

It was then that I learned of the existence of the solar panels, which are difficult to see from ground level. Recently, when I was testing a new drone, I happened to get the TPAC in a few photos from a distance and I realized the solar panels would make an interesting Skyview feature.

The photo is taken at a slight angle instead of a straight-down view, and is composed corner-to-corner in the frame, partly to differentiate the image from what one could obtain in a satellite view.

If you have suggestions for something you'd like to see our drone pilots photograph, email skyviewailyherald.com with your idea.