Planning solar power canopies in parking areas

Solar canopies can reduce winter maintenance and give parking areas a distinctive presence


The adoption of solar technology offers a substantial opportunity to make a meaningful reduction in a building’s carbon footprint while also having significant economic benefits and enhancing building marketability, according to an article on the Building Operating Management on the FacilitiesNet website. 

A thoughtful design approach that situates solar arrays atop parking garages or above parking lots extends savings far beyond energy production, benefitting the bottom line by reducing winter maintenance and other operational costs, while giving parking areas a distinctive presence and offering tenants an extra comfort perk.

This approach to sustainability promotes operational longevity and, as an added benefit, offers a way to install solar panels without the need to puncture building roof membranes.  Solar power generation can be made most effective when it starts with quality design and construction. Upgrading a property with solar technology should not be done in haste; a properly planned system results in maximized efficiency and eliminates difficulties post-construction. Four planning factors have a major impact on success: 

• Involve the state or local government early in the design process

• Be neighborly and conduct glare studies

• Work with experienced vendors 

• Create a logistics plan

Read the article.

 



October 12, 2018


Topic Area: Energy and Power


Recent Posts

Cyberattack Results in Patient Reroutes at Anne Arundel Medical Center

A recent cyberattack on Luminis Health Care led to care disruptions and treatment cancelations at Maryland hospital.


Tangram Furnishes Be Well OC Irvine Behavioral Health Campus

Case study: Through a public-private partnership, Be Well OC’s 22-acre Irvine campus expands Orange County’s continuum of behavioral healthcare.


Suntree Internal Medicine Reports Data Breach

Suntree Internal Medicine has no evidence of misuse, or attempted misuse, of any potentially affected information.


Why Healthcare Facilities Management Is Critical to Patient Safety 

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities rely on much more than doctors and nurses to keep patients safe.


Sanford Health and North Memorial Health Finalize Partnership

An integration process is underway to create a unified organization.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.