[RE-wrenches] Solar Carport on a Parking Ramp

[Karl Jaeger]

Thank you everyone for your input!

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Garrison Riegel
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 9:29 AM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar Carport on a Parking Ramp

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 | Solar Service Inc<http://www.solarserviceinc.com/>
[p] 847-677-0950 | garrison at solarserviceinc.com<mailto:garrison at solarserviceinc.com>

NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional(tm)



From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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 <kjaeger at lightwavesolar.com<mailto:kjaeger at lightwavesolar.com>>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar Carport on a Parking Ramp
Date: February 5, 2014 1:40:45 PM CST
To: "re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>>
Reply-To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto: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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