Installing a solar canopy over parking lots and areas used to store equipment or large vehicles can provide an ideal way to add solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to a site. Solar PV canopy structures offer many benefits to a site, such as locations for EV chargers; shade for cars, trucks, and equipment; and a reduction in heat island effects. However, planning is needed to ensure that a project captures all benefits while avoiding some of the pitfalls. For example, these structures are not yet well represented in structural code, which can result in poor outcomes. This webinar explores the full gamut of topics related to solar canopies, including how to procure safe, reliable, 30-year structures.
Instructors
Gerald Robinson, Program Manager, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Read Bio
Gerald Robinson is an Energy manager with over 25 years' experience initiating and completing a broad range of energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy system initiatives. Gerald has an extensive track record of innovative yet practical problem solving in both the private and public sectors. Gerald's management experience spans a wide variety of organizations including universities, municipalities, large corporations, non-governmental organizations, and federal agencies. He has gained an extensive knowledge of all phases of project development and implementation including, legal & regulatory, engineering, project finance, audits, system commissioning, specifications writing, construction management and commissioning. Gerald is an ardent customer advocate able to work with a wide variety of stakeholders. He acts in the role of agency technical advocate drawing upon his background not only as an energy manager but also as a plant manager while at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) where he led the university through many multi-million-dollar utility infrastructure modernization and planning projects.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, attendees will be able to:
- Identify the ways solar canopies could be applied to a site thereby utilizing areas not currently considered eligible for solar PV systems;
- Recognize the high value benefits that can come with a solar canopy-shade for employee and government vehicles, EV Charger Ready to enable chargers to be added later with low cost and disturbance to site, and other benefits;
- Identify EV Charger Ready specifications and costs;
- Recognize the structural and mechanical challenges that stem from code gaps and how to mitigate these issues;
- Identify the cost differences between canopies, ground, and rooftop systems.
