Hopkins parking deck at the University of California San Diego.


Green Parking: The AestheticWay


BY DREWADAMS


formed the way we look at the roofs of our buildings, the open expanse of our deserts and even the space in our yards.


A 36 Although most solar energy applications center on roofs, an


alternative approach in realizing the potential that lies in themiles andmiles of paved parking surfaces. The concept behind solar carports or shade structures pro-


vides the foundation necessary to transform parking lots and garage decks fromdesolate heat traps into energy-producing enti- ties. Parking lots, especially, no longer need to be viewed by devel- opers aswasteful property dictated by the need for parking spaces.


JUNE 2009 • PARKING TODAY • www.parkingtoday.com


S ENVIRONMENTAL REGULA- tions strengthen and financial incen- tives materialize,


investment Parking can be beautiful, and energy production can be in


renewable energy continues to grow. Advances in solar energy have trans-


beautiful. Envision Solar was founded by architects and design- ers, so it comes as no surprise that the structures they design are as attractive as they are functional. This artful approach to delivering energy solutions ismateri-


alized in the company’s Solar Tree. Each individual array is a Solar Tree; collectively, they form a Solar Grove. It completed eight solar parking array projects in 2008 – totaling more than 1.3 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems – at health-care facilities, universities and commercial developments. Two projects completed for the University of California San


Diego – at the Gilman and Hopkins parking structures – offer tangible models to the potential of solar parking arrays. The sin- gle support column per “tree” allows for unhindered maneuver- ability under the parking area, and the highly customizable fea- ture of the SolarGrove allows the structures to be sized and posi- tioned tomeet the needs of each facility.


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