[RE-wrenches] Solar Carport on a Parking Ramp

[Garrison Riegel]

Hi Karl,

 

Many parking garages are built with future growth in mind, so the columns
are often capable of handling significant additional load.  That's not the
case with the deck however, so connection to anything but the columns will
likely require structural reinforcement.  Attachment to the deck may also
impede maintenance such as plowing (not sure if that is an issue in your
area), and could take parking spaces out of service that are often more
valuable than the energy produced by the array.

 

In addition to the solid and relevant advice already given by others, I
would recommend aligning yourself with a reputable SE firm that has design
experience parking garages, and a racking company and/or steel fabricator
that can advise on what is possible for your specific site.  A prefab
carport system may be an attractive solution, but contrary to what their
sales people might tell you it will likely not pass structural when
installed on top of a parking garage without significant structural
reinforcement.  

 

Good luck!

 

Garrison Riegel

PV Operations Manager |  <http://www.solarserviceinc.com/> Solar Service Inc

[p] 847-677-0950 |  <mailto:garrison at solarserviceinc.com>
garrison at solarserviceinc.com

 

NABCEP Certified PV Installation ProfessionalT

 

 

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of David
Brearley
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2014 9:04 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Carport on a Parking Ramp

 

Hi Karl,

 

Besides working with a PE, you may need to Xray the concrete to determine a
connection detail that won't compromise any reinforcing steel in the
concrete.

 

The SPG Solar case study in this article may be relevant:

 

http://bit.ly/1e4LCKd

 

(The link to the case study is next to the photo, under the text "Inside
this Article." It is the Kern County Administration Building case study.)

 

We also profiled a Solar Service project on a parking garage in Illinois
that may be relevant:

 

http://bit.ly/1gabDd4

 

David Brearley

Senior Technical Editor, SolarPro magazine

NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional

david.brearley at solarprofessional.com
<mailto:david.brearley at solarprofessional.com> 

Direct: 541.261.6545

 

 

 

 

On Feb 5, 2014, at 8:38 PM, re-wrenches-request at lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-request at lists.re-wrenches.org>  wrote:






From: Karl Jaeger < <mailto:kjaeger at lightwavesolar.com>
kjaeger at lightwavesolar.com>

Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar Carport on a Parking Ramp

Date: February 5, 2014 1:40:45 PM CST

To: " <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org" <
<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>

Reply-To: RE-wrenches < <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>

 

Howdy Wrenches,

 

Any of y'all have any experience with installing a carport atop a parking
ramp? Any lessons learned and/or advice you could give? Any recommendations
on attachment methods to the pre-stressed concrete?

 

Much appreciated!

 

Karl Jaeger

LightWave Solar Electric LLC

 

 

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