Mountain States & SouthwestBest Projects2012

Award of Merit, Green Project: PowerParasol Solar Canopy Shades ASU Parking Area

ASU Lot 59 PowerParasol, Tempe, Ariz.

Photo by by Mike Nothum

More than 7,600 solar panels provide 2 MW of power.

Serving Arizona State University's main campus, this armature of steel beams supports more than 7,600 solar modules that produce 2 MW of energy. The canopy also creates much-needed shade from the intense desert sun for nearly 800 vehicles. Smooth, blemish-free concrete was made using special steel forms and a new type of high-quality plywood. Before each piece of steel was placed at the site, every detail had to be carefully reviewed, and each piece had to be bolted and inspected. Electricians were challenged to produce a clean look with the installation and routing of thousands of wires and cables. Now patented, the PowerParasol design can be used to cover many large civic gathering spaces, from parks to pedestrian malls and playgrounds.

Key Players

Contractor: Hardison/Downey Construction Inc., Phoenix

Owner: Strategic Solar Energy, Chandler, Ariz.

Lead Design: Debartolo Architects, Phoenix

Structural Engineer: Rudow + Berry, Scottsdale, Ariz.

MEP: Taylor RyMar, Phoenix

Fabrication: Sunora Energy Solutions, Phoenix

Subcontractors: Delta Diversified Enterprises, Tempe, Ariz.; Ironco Enterprises, Phoenix; Suntec Concrete, Phoenix

Submitted by Hardison/Downey Construction

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