by Shane Henson — November 22, 2013—Solaire Generation, a provider of integrated solar structures and systems for parking lots, recently announced the completion of two solar parking canopy projects, one for Konterra Realty Group in Laurel, Maryland, and the other for Craft Inc. in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Solaire Generation’s contract with Konterra involved fabricating and installing a 402-kilowatt (kW) parking lot canopy system at the company’s Maryland headquarters. The solar parking structures support 1,368 photovoltaic panels that will produce enough renewable energy to cover 20 percent of the site’s electricity needs.
Solaire Generation was proud that the solar canopies, combined with a lithium-ion battery storage system provided by Solar Grid Storage, created Maryland’s first commercial micro-grid. In the event of a grid shutdown, the system is designed to provide immediate emergency backup power from the batteries and to allow ongoing solar electricity production for the property.
“Solaire is honored to be part of such a unique project that demonstrates solar energy can be a backup source of power when combined with storage,” said Solaire Generation CEO Laurence Mackler.
Separately, Craft Inc. and US Solar Works unveiled a 71 kW Solaire Long Span 360 canopy at Craft’s manufacturing facility in Massachusetts. The new carport covers 5,230 square feet with one contiguous structure that seamlessly integrates with newly installed solar on the building’s rooftop and awnings. The entire 310 kW system is anticipated to provide nearly 100 percent of the site’s electricity.
“We are excited to see Solaire’s custom-designed Long Span 360 carport serving as a complement to Craft’s other installations,” Mackler said. “The project shows how a host can expand PV capacity by using solar canopies to convert some of their parking lot into a renewable energy producing power plant after rooftop space has been maximized.”
Solaire says it developed the patent-pending Long Span 360 as a solution to efficiently maximize any parking lot’s solar production. The customizable structure can be installed up to 110 feet wide to cover two rows of parallel parking and the internal drive aisle. Like Solaire’s other patented canopies, it is available as a single- or dual-incline canopy with an optional water management system.
