Sustainable Solar Car Park
Martifer Solar has announced the completion of its first SmartPark solar carport system in the United States. The innovative 35,000-square-foot, 368-kilowatt renewable energy system was built for the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) in Lancaster, California. The structure includes over 300 kilowatts of SmartPark-mounted modules, as well as a smaller roof-mounted system, and fulfills the dual purpose of generating clean "green" electric energy while also providing shade protection for up to 110 vehicles.
"Martifer Solar did an excellent job for us," said AVTA Executive Director, Randy Floyd. "It was a very smooth project that stayed right on schedule. The installation team was also easy to work with and very professional throughout the entire construction process."
The solar energy project was funded by the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) grant program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
"AVTA is proud of this project," stated Floyd. "It put to good use a portion of our American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. Not only did this project generate jobs, it is reducing our carbon footprint and reducing our operating costs."
The project created over 30 green-collar jobs. Covering an area of 35,000-square-feet, the new system will reduce the transit facility's carbon dioxide output by more than 400 tons over the projected 35-year life span of the system. Raffi Agopian, CEO of Martifer Solar's U.S. headquarters in West Los Angeles, said the new SmartPark system allows the company to deliver an advanced solar platform capable of meeting a client's alternative energy demands without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.
"This system is an elegant combination of both form and function, and is very versatile," said Agopian, "It perfectly matched the renewable energy goals of the Antelope Valley Transit Authority, while also meeting their need for better parking facilities for their employees and visitors. It was a great win-win solution."
This is the first SmartPark installation for Martifer Solar in the United States. The new system was created through the company's extensive research and development, engineering and design process. The SmartPark product consists of a fixed structure that provides outdoor covered parking with a minimal amount of installation work, and provides customers with greater power generation capabilities. Its flexible design makes it adaptable to the size and layout of the location, and enables it to accommodate a wide variety of module types and connecting equipment. It is equally useful in conjunction with roof or ground-mounted systems or as a stand-alone system, and can be a valuable alternative to traditional solar installation methods.
Martifer Solar is anticipating the market to grow by 35 percent over 2009 levels.