Embracing the Benefits of Solar Parking Lots

Shane Laros posted 2016-09-23

Commuters at the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) can expect a sustainable upgrade to their parking lots in the near future. Partnering with SunPower Corp, the university has plans to install Helix Carport solar power systems at two of its existing lots.

The concept of solar parking lots has been around for some time, but SunPower has improved on older designs to create a more efficient and convenient power generation system. Helix is a pre-engineered, modularly designed technology that can be applied to carports, rooftops or on the ground.

SunPower estimates the power generation for the CSULB system will be 4.8 megawatts.

"With the cost-competitive solar generated by our SunPower systems, the university will control electricity costs and reduce our carbon footprint, serving our goal to achieve climate neutral operations by 2030," said David Salazar, associate vice president at CSULB.

"CSULB is proud to support California and the nation in our transition to clean and renewable energy sources to fight climate change and its negative effects on our students, staff and community by increasing our reliance on solar power. SunPower's experience partnering with universities is as important to us as the proven high performance of its technology." he added.

An example of the Helix Carport. (Image courtesy CSULB.)
The school has worked out a power purchase agreement to buy back the power generated, which will offset approximately 15 percent of the total campus electrical load. The Helix system will be integrated into three existing solar power systems at CSULB as the largest both on the Long Beach campus and the 23 campus CSU system to date.

On top of the electricity generated, it will also provide spaces for around 50 electric vehicles to charge.

SunPower has been in the business of providing sustainable energy for years, so it seems likely that the Helix system will be able to meet the early projected numbers. As more organizations start thinking sustainably, we can expect to see more solar cells at work.

Read more at the CSULB Sustainability page or the SunPower Helix product website.