Schott Applied Power Corp. (SAPC, Lacey, WA) has been awarded a contract by the City of Riverside, California, to design, supply and construct a 113kW solar photovoltaic carport system. The system, which will be connected to the city's utility grid, will generate clean, renewable energy to offset summer electricity demand during peak hours. In addition, the SAPC-designed structure will provide shade for approximately 152 parking spaces at the Operation Center for Riverside's Public Utilities.
The solar array will be mounted in two rows of an elevated carport shade structure. The entire photovoltaic array will consist of 2,016 75W modules, with a nameplate rating of 150kW. The system is rated to provide 113kW of ac output under typical conditions, approximately enough electricity to power 57 California homes.
David Wright, deputy utility director for the city of Riverside, commented, "We selected SAPC on the basis of their unique structural design and overall approach. We felt that SAPC's design team best understood what the city was looking to accomplish with this project."
Construction has already started on the site, with completion slated for the end of October 2001.
