While driving through Framingham recently, I noticed that REI has installed covered solar structures in their parking lots. This approach of the integration of solar panels is not new, however, it certainly is underutilized in our region. It has become increasingly more common to incorporate solar panels on the rooftops of both new and existing buildings, solar parking structures provide other benefits besides harvesting the sun’s energy to help supplement the energy consumption of the building. Solar structures reduce the heat island effect of the parking lot paving and provide shaded parking during the summer months and in turn, help reduce vehicle fuel costs. During New England winter months, the structures keep snow from accumulating on vehicles and if situated properly, can reduce the need for snow removal on paved surfaces with snow being shed directly into medians and planting areas. Here are some additional statistics regarding REI’s installation along with two other recent national applications.
REI, Framingham, MA
– 61% of building power comes from solar panels
– 80% of solar power on the site comes from panels over parking area; remaining 20% comes from the rooftop solar panels
– The solar panels generate enough energy to power 22 homes and are equivalent to taking 34 cars off the road
Solar Charging Station Lansing, Mich
– First municipality owned charging station in US
– These stations are designed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of Lansing by more than 115 tons
– 5 kW project intends to enable more than 482.800 km clean driving
Town of Lancaster, CA
– Lancaster aims to be solar capital of the world by producing more solar energy than they consume daily
– Total necessary is 126 megawatts. Town currently has enough panels for 39 megawatts with an additional 50 under construction
