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Solar Rooftops & Parking Canopies
Generate Power │ Generate Value
Market Dynamics Favor Solar Adoption
Dramatic declines in system installation
costs, in conjunction with favorable
renewable energy incentive programs, have
made solar power not only environmentally
friendly but also financially beneficial to real
estate owners. Now is an outstanding time
for solar adoption, and we are confident that
BlueWave is the right solar partner for you.
Generate Additional Value from Existing Assets
Rooftop and parking canopy solar installations
represent opportunities to generate incremental
value from existing assets in the form of new lease
revenues, energy savings, and energy cost
certainty. Furthermore, these solar installations
can contribute significantly to property branding
and marketing, customer and tenant retention, and
corporate sustainability initiatives. Parking
canopies in particular are able to provide added
benefit to tenants and customers in the form of
vehicle shading and weather protection and, in
some cases, EV charging stations.
Mounting. Solar racking can be anchored to rooftops using ballasted mounts, bypenetrating the roof surface to connect to the framing, or by a hybrid approach incorporating ballasts and minimal penetrations.
Rooftop and parking lot installations are available in a wide variety of size, design, and functionality options. All of these have significant financial implications and we can work with you to design the installation that optimizes benefit for you.
Dimensions. Solar canopies can be built as long‐span systems that cover entire parking garage roofs, or in separate sections for individual parking rows.
Shape/Design. Solar canopies can be designed as a single slope, double slope, inverted slope, or flat surface canopy in order to accommodate the existing parking structure and its position relative to the sun. Solar canopy designs can also cater to a specific climateand weather patterns.
Aesthetics. A wide variety of design, material, and finish options exist for canopy structures. Depending on budget and host site requirements, canopies range from architectural/stylized to utilitarian/economical.
Rooftops
Parking Canopies
Design Options & Considerations
Angle. Solar panels can be installed within a range of angles. The optimal angle for a giveninstallation balances the goals of maximizing sun exposure while minimizing wind load.
Style. Commercial rooftop solar installations are almost exclusively comprised of raised panel systems, but solar cells and thin film can also be integrated into traditional materials such as shingles and standing-seam metal roofs.
• BlueWave finances, constructs and maintains a solar installation on the roof and/or parking lot.
• Host enters into a long-term contract (15-20 years) for the purchase of solar electricity,
typically at either a fixed price or a lower starting price with a yearly escalator.
• In tenant-occupied buildings, owner can bill tenants for electricity use at full retail rate (as
profit center) or at discounted rate (as tenant retention strategy).
Many variations exist for solar ownership structures and energy off-take arrangements.
BlueWave will work with you to design a program and structure that best suits your objectives.
While there are many permutations, the three categories below represent the primary options
for commercial property owners.
• BlueWave finances, constructs and maintains a
solar installation on the roof and/or parking lot.
• BlueWave arranges and executes a net metering
credit purchase agreement (NMCPA) with off-
site electricity customer.
• BlueWave provides, on a fee basis, solar project planning, financing, and management services
to property owner.
• Requires large upfront capital investment and additional human resources commitment, but
allows host to take full advantage of federal tax credits and state/local incentives.
• Can have adverse implications for certain owners relative to taxation and property resale.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
Surface Lease
Direct Ownership
Financial Structures
• After the end of the PPA agreement, the
contract can be renewed, the system can be
removed and the land returned to its original
state, or the customer can purchase the system.
• In exchange for use of roof and/or parking lot surface area, host receives annual lease payments
from BlueWave, typically based on megawatts of solar capacity installed.
• At the end of the lease term, BlueWave would remove the equipment and restore the surfaces
to their original condition, less ordinary wear and tear.
Q. How long would construction take? A. Construction typically lasts about 5 to 6 weeks, and may take longer if a phasing strategy is planned.
Q. Will any parking spots be lost? A. Parts of the lot will be closed off during construction. However, a completed system generally does not
result in a loss of parking spaces.
Q. What will happen to the energy produced by the system? A. The power produced by the system will be fed back into the electric grid and may be available for purchase
by the property owner or others in that utility load zone at a lower‐than‐retail rate.
Q. How long will the system operate? A. A typical system will operate for 20 years with the potential to continue for an additional 10 to 15 years.
Q. Who will be responsible for maintaining the system? A. The system will be operated and maintained by BlueWave and its engineering/operations + maintenance
providers. Once constructed, the system will require minimal maintenance but will be digitally monitored 24/7.
Q. Which party is liable for possible personal injury or property damage caused by snow or ice from the canopies? A. The system operator will be responsible for such liabilities.
Q. Will the system withstand certain weather conditions like heavy winds, snow/ice, and rains? A. The system will be compliant with local building codes in your area and will meet all wind and snow loading
requirements, consistent with hundreds of systems across the US.
Q. Who is responsible for system damage if someone runs their car into the canopy structure and damages it? A. Parking canopy structures are built on concrete posts a few feet above street level, making vehicle collision
damage highly unlikely. In the event that a vehicle does damage the structure, the system’s insurance would cover structural damage.
Q. Will the system hinder snow clearing operations on the lot? A. Parking canopy structures are compatible with typical plowing equipment. Structure heights allow ample
clearance for plow trucks. Canopy column placement in solar lots is similar to light pole placement in conventional parking lots, allowing plows and other equipment to navigate normally. Additionally, snow in parking spaces and around columns is generally limited because those areas are covered by the solar canopy.
Q. Will wires run overhead or underground? A. The wires will be completely concealed both above and below ground.
Q. What will happen to existing lighting? A. Depending on site layout, existing lighting systems may be preserved or, if necessary, replaced by lighting
integrated into the solar installation.
Solar Parking Canopy - FAQs
Contact:
Aidan Foley 137 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02116
Ryan Cooney 137 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
We look forward to working with you to achieve meaningful financial, social and environmental benefit for you through the incorporation of solar energy generation
into your real estate assets.
