Thank you everyone for your input! From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@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 | garri...@solarserviceinc.com<mailto:garri...@solarserviceinc.com> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional(tm) From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@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.brear...@solarprofessional.com<mailto:david.brear...@solarprofessional.com> Direct: 541.261.6545 On Feb 5, 2014, at 8:38 PM, re-wrenches-requ...@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches-requ...@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote: From: Karl Jaeger <kjae...@lightwavesolar.com<mailto:kjae...@lightwavesolar.com>> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar Carport on a Parking Ramp Date: February 5, 2014 1:40:45 PM CST To: "re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>" <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>> Reply-To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches@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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