Zam Energy Blog

Car Dealerships now using solar carports to reduce overhead costs

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U.S. dealerships use about 18 percent more energy per square foot than a typical office building

Reducing energy costs is a major consideration for automobile dealerships, where energy is the third-highest overhead expenditure. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, U.S. dealerships use about 18 percent more energy per square foot than a typical office building.

 It pays not only on the bottom line, but the press a dealership receives for its innovations is unprecendented.  Awards and Recognition abound for innovative car dealerships willing to break out ahead of the pack.  Because the pack will follow once the word gets out.

Solar Energy at a Dealership creates Press and Lots of Attention

Four winners will be chosen and will be featured in a full-page ad in USA TODAY and NADA's AutoExec magazine. One grand winner, selected from among the four, will be honored at a special ceremony held in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show, and will receive roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations for two to New York City, as well as two VIP auto show passes.

It is important that the public sees what a dealer is doing.  Turning off the lights is just not an option, or even turning down the AC on a hot day.  So dealers are more and more using solar energy on the lot for everyone to see.  Solar carports on car dealerships are key to saving hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of a system.

Adding solar energy for Cadillac dealerships just got very attractive.  Envision Solar has an agreement with General Motors for Cadillac dealers to use a branded solar carport.

Envision Solar Designed and Developed for Cadillac dealers in the US 

Equipped with integrated electric vehicle charging stations, the Solar Tree® structure can generate enough renewable energy to charge six electric vehicles each day. Envision Solar’s proprietary tracking system, EnvisionTrak™, causes the array to follow the sun, capturing more of its energy and increasing electrical output by nearly 25 percent over typical fixed solar installations.

Cadillac dealerships can be ready to charge the ELR with solar energy

“Our renewable energy strategy goes beyond our company walls,” said Mary Alice Kurtz, Program Manager, Sustainability Initiatives, General Motors. “We encourage all of our partners to explore renewable energy alternatives, whenever possible.”

Within the next year, Cadillac will launch the ELR, the first luxury coupe with extended range electric technology. The Cadillac Solar Tree® structure is available to Cadillac dealers nationwide to support the ELR launch, and to assist in making dealership facilities more energy efficient.

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), like most trade associations, is concerned with helping its members be profitable. Because auto dealerships use, on average, more energy per square foot than a typical office building, NADA has long recognized that energy efficiency is an effective way for dealers to cut costs and generate savings that increase the bottom line.

 It is estimated that if all auto dealerships in the U.S. were to reduce their energy consumption by just 10 percent, they would save approximately $193 million in energy costs and eliminate more than 1 million tons of greenhouse gases every year. The best ways for most auto dealers to improve energy efficiency are by installing efficient lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems.

NADA has taken the lead in promoting to its members the many resources available to small businesses from ENERGY STAR. Go to www.energystar.gov/autodealers -   Promotions have included special “Green Issues” of their flagship publication, AutoExec, and the launch of reciprocal web sites to facilitate dealers’ access to information. In addition, ENERGY STAR personnel have participated in NADA conventions at the organization’s invitation. By mid-2007, more than 500 dealerships had joined the ENERGY STAR Small Business Network as a result of these promotions.

NADA and Energy Star Partnership

In 2007, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) joined with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program to launch the Energy Stewardship Initiative. NADA is challenging its 20,000 members to reduce energy use by 10 percent or more. Participants use Energy Star’s web-based Portfolio Manager tool to track facility energy con- sumption and savings. Go to www.nada.org/energystar or www.energystar.gov/autodealers for more information, includ- ing training and support resources.

The best opportunities for saving energy can be found in the areas of highest consumption—lighting and HVAC systems. Additional savings can be culled from other areas, including the builiing envelope, electric motors, and office equipment.

Stadiums now have even more of a reason for solar carports

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Clean solar powered transportation on college campuses will come in small packages – or even very large MW solar shaded parking facilities with very attractive return on investment for solar charging.

Campus grounds, as well as, collegiate and professional stadiums now have even more of a reason to take advantage of strong return on investment with solar carports and fleets of electric vehicles, e-scooters, and e-bikes. 

• Solar powered e-bike for campus fleets and operations

In fact both offer big returns on investment.  Heightened security at sporting events, and high impact solar for all to see and admire are just the tip of the iceberg.  Now stadiums are allotting VIP parking for only EV drivers to charge up and park in premium spots at a sporting event – and can charge sponsors a premium for the signage that the millions will pass by. 

Envision Solar Solar Trees covering parking lot with integrated illumination

But, in the light of heightened security at sporting events, stadium operations and security now require solar for back-up power, and can have on site emission-free vehicles to transport people across campus or even inside the stadium for fast emergency response.

Zam Energy offer fleets of e-scooters and e-bikes to campus and sports stadium operations integrated with solar charging stations.

What is the math for a large solar parking lot?

 A 1.2 MW solar farm in a parking lot can provide shade for over 530 vehicles, occupy almost three acres and can generate power for over 35 years conservatively.

• On the small side Solar Carports can range in size from two-car carports to larger commercial structures that can house 20 vehicles or more.
• A typical carport installation would capture enough solar energy to charge up to 13 EVs a day.
• Save approximately $2,000 a year in energy costs compared to charging on the U.S. grid—assuming electricity price of $0.10/kWh.

How does the payment work?

• Solar developer (Zam Energy) installs the solar system and either leases it to the property owner or makes lease payments to the property owner, depending on who uses the electricity

Lower energy costs on the site, reduced carbon emissions from using less plant-generated electricity, plus the public display of sustainable business practices.

•  Return on investment for property owners can be in the range of 10 to 15 percent

 Group EV Hug Anyone?

Pictured aboveis Envision Solar’s Solar Tree that can charge up to 6 EVs at once.

Retailers win with strong return on investment with solar carports

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Quick payback for Solar Carports with EV Chargers are even easier in 2013 with incentivesgood news for retailers.--

Solar carports and EV Charging can help retailers win new customers—and their customers win with a free charge session—and often stick around to shop longer. If EVs are going to be a viable alternative to fossil fuel-burning cars – and we hope they will – they’ll need places to charge up.  Retailers are offering an answer…. And everyone wins as now there are strong incentives in place to get the infrastructure kick-started.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center (www.afdc.energy.gov)

Shoppers will appreciate it too.  In 2011, the transportation sector accounted for more than 70 percent of U.S. oil consumption, and the cost of imported oil totaled more than $300 billion. The typical American household spent a record $4,155 on fuel costs in 2012 according to the Oil Price Information Service.  And fueling an electric vehicle (EV) is much cheaper than a vehicle using gas: It costs 2 or 3 cents to drive one mile in an EV and about 15 cents to travel the same distance in a gasoline-powered vehicle.
 


With incentives in place, and strong return of investment on solar carport for retailers, we will see Solar EV Charging stations offered by retailers as commonplace.

The U.S. will continue to see a rise in solar installations as costs continue to come down and utility rates continue to rise. At the same time, electric vehicles will begin to make up a larger portion of the cars on the road. Using solar power to charge EVs provides drivers with a true sustainable solution. Electric vehicle solar carports are the refueling stations of the future, and will become as commonplace as today’s gas station.

Combining solar power with the EV Charging station at a retail facility increases the payback, and customers see upfront the commitment to doing the right thing.

Contact Zam Energy for a report on ROI for solar carports and EV Charging.  Info at zamenergy dot com

Solar Carport Cost Analysis

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Solar Carport Cost Analysis

NREL's parking structure is expected to perform 90% better than a standard garage built just to code.  Credit: Dennis Schroeder

¨ What factors do you need to consider when analyzing whether a Solar Carport is right for your facility?  Zam Energy will develop for potential clients a deep financial analysis of whether solar carports provide value.   Key factors to start with include:

¨ System Size:                                           

¨ Car Spaces Covered:                            

¨ No. Solar Panels / Rating:           

¨ Capacity:                                                  

¨ Useful Life:                            

¨ Utility Costs Avoided:                     

 We look at the following factors, drivers of cost include:

¨ Design & Materials                           

¨ Solar Panels                                      

¨ Balance of Systems                          

Our spreadsheet will also analyze:

¨ Yearly energy usage

¨ Original system size

¨ RECs allowed/yr.      

¨ % of energy from Solar:                  

¨ Scalability:                 

We also want our clients to understand what Utility costs are avoided; this can work into the millions of dollars over a 20-year span.  Other incentives to calculate include:

¨ SEC 1603 Investment Tax Credit              

¨ Energy Produced                             

¨ CO₂ Emissions Saved                                   

¨ Equivalent Trees Planted                           

¨ Equivalent Auto Miles Avoided      

We have also found intangibles such as employees come to work earlier to get a spot under the carport.  At the retail level, covered areas are used to promote outdoor events, offer branding / advertising income, and can even be used to sell product. 

Also at the parking lot level we are starting to add Solar Street lighting.  Regular parking lights on average cost $3,500 per light plus cost of trenching and wiring at $60 per foot- With ITC credits our clients are now reviewing the financials to use solar light posts instead, as the prices are comparable.

NREL will also be holding a workship in Golden, CO on their parking structure which I have had many occasion to use.

Solar carports at shopping centers are very attractive to visitors

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Solar carports at shopping centers are very attractive to visitors, but now even more appealing as shopping mall operators are learning they can now generate revenue just by leasing areas of property to developers like Zam Energy to build solar power plants.  This article will help you find out how solar can easily be installed for shopping malls.

Retailers that have to date stayed away from the initial costs of installing solar energy systems now welcome solar- as new programs are in place that shift the burden away from the mall operator.  Largely in part to Feed – In –Tarriff’s  (F-I-Ts) that are popping up around the country, your shopping center may be the next site for a large solar carport that generates solar power on the mall parking lot or parking structure.  

The shopping mall could have solar on its roof, on the ground as ground mount solar for all to see, or on a parking lot using a shopping mall solar carport.   Zam Energy not only provides the mall owner with a monthly check, Zam Energy and their partners will handle the construction, funding, ownership and operation headaches of solar energy systems.  The shopping mall is set-up only to enjoy the many tangible and intangible benefits- without any worry.  

The local energy provider (utility) offers long-term contracts to renewable energy producers, or developers like Zam Energy who build the solar power facility at the shopping mall. The solar facility at the shopping mall will create a long-term income stream for the mall owner which is provided by an agreement that is backed by solid financial institutions which Zam Energy brings in to finance the project.  Zam Energy will provide a long-term lease on the property – and provide a new shopping mall experience for visitors to include aesthetically pleasing solar in the shopping mall parking lot or structure.

Solar energy at a shopping mall enjoys many benefits --  from offering visitors solar energy structures that shade their car from the elements – while increasing safety with energy efficient lighting – and often security camera’s which are often installed per the mall owner’s request.  The shopping mall owner will not have to pay for the solar energy and the energy is sent directly into the grid. It's a workable structure that all three parties agree to– the developer like Zam Energy, the mall owner, and the public utility who pays the bill for energy delivered to its grid.

Surface parking lots are the best areas to start with, but Zam Energy also has been talking to large malls with parking structures where we can cover the top deck of the mall parking structure with solar carports.  The solar carports offer an attractive place to park- giving visitors more options for covered parking.

If your visitors are requesting Electric Vehicle charging sites, or even electric scooter charging stations, Zam Energy can supply this infrastructure as well – but this will be at the expense of the mall owner. We recommend that this service is offered to your visitor free of charge at least until 2014.  Shoppers who charge their car stay longer, often twice as long as typical shoppers.

Please contact Erin Geegan at Zam Energy if your shopping mall is interested in learning more, and we can also set-up your mall to receive additional media income through our banner – advertising – media station program.   Contact:  erin (at) zamenergy.com

Solar power at your neighborhood Zoo?

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Solar power at your neighborhood Zoo?  How about a solar carport and EV Charging for a Zoo by You?  Zoo’s and solar power are a great combination. As Zoos have large parking lots, lots of cars, and offer a great opportunity to educate.   The new Solar-To-EV project at the San Diego Zoo is the first of its kind, but could be a blueprint for future projects.

Smart City San Diego, the City of San Diego, and Clean Tech San Diego partnered to make the one-of-a-kind 90-kilowatt solar canopy in the parking lot shared by the zoo and Balboa Park.

Most solar charging stations feed the energy into the electric grid and the cars that plug in at the stations draw power from the grid.

For the Zoo, the power from the solar panels goes directly to the vehicles plugged in there.  Solar carports at Zoo can have excess power feed a battery ---functioning even in a power outage.

There haven’t been many DC to DC solar installations in the country and this project serves as a demonstration that it can work. DC to DC is currently unique, but Zam Energy expects to see more and more implementations. 

Zam Energy is currently involved in several projects where solar energy is supplying EV Charging directly, with energy storage as a back-up.

Public Installations of this type of technology at Zoos, Sports Stadiums, and airports, as well as at resorts are powering not only builidngs, but cars, golf carts, and even electric scooters.

Large scale solar carports developments are key with Feed-in Tarrifs

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Get economies of scale for office parks, and large parking centers –  build a solar carport center using a Feed In Tarrif in CA, FL, NY or RI

Feed-in Tariff’s are a great way to take advantage of getting your property fitted with a solar carport -  and it is essentially free. Your utility will eventually return back to you the solar carport – but take advantage of the electricity it generates for 20 years.  Your use of the carport will bring important advantages for weather cover – and be returned to you to generate electricity for your site after the FIT is up.  Pictured here is a North park office complex, over 4,450 parking spaces at the car park will provide shade and energy for the office complex.

Zam Energy works as a developer to help large parking lot owners make the best use of their parking lot, by fitting it with solar carports.  California, Florida, New York and Rhode Island all have Feed-in Tariff rates that can support the economics.  If you have parking availability or are planning a development, call Zam Energy.  If you are not in a FIT state, Zam energy will pay for the construction of the solar carport, and the property owner just pays for the cost of energy produced.

Land owners in FIT states, should seek to build a solar carport using FIT programs.  A separate contract to maintain the solar carport is also a consideration, and as a developer Zam Energy will take care of that piece.   Moving ahead with solar carports are an important piece of the mix for landowners to take advantage within FIT states.

For solar carports in windy/snowy states, if you're worried about strength and engineering in high-wind and snow load areas, there are key things you will need to ensure.  Solar carports have been engineered to meet snow loads of over 100 PSF, and wind of over 150 MPH, Zam Energy has found key designs that supersede solution selection.

A partner of Zam Energy, has designed a way to avoid snow and ice bridging, which Zam Energy uses in snow climates.  Please contact us on ways to integrate solar carports such as this structure onto your facility.

Solar Carports bring income to college campuses

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College Campus Solar Projects can generate income, and pride for the University

Last week I was the Master of Ceremony for an event hosted at Colorado University, sponsored by NRDC and Envirornmental Entrepreneurs (E2).  E2 is the business voice for why economic progress must be sustainable for long term returns.  At this event, Dr. Philip P. DiStefano Chancellor, of University of Colorado Boulder, presented how CU's sustainability program has made a significant impact on the environment and has paid for itself.  Allen Hershkowitz, Ph.D. NRDC Senior Scientist;  Cofounder, Green Sports Alliance in his presentation on how sports and the environment are inextricably linked, noted that he thought University of Colorado Boulder was of the elite when comparing programs across the nation.

Sponsor supported Tailgating- Solar Carports

A big area of growth for all college campuses across the United States is to start using solar carports on campuses.  Electric Vehicle charging under solar canopies can make quite a statement.  Campuses are looking for ways to reduce air pollution by reducing traffic on university grounds and are looking at installing electric vehicle charging stations on campus. But in this era of reduced capital budgets and reduced operating and maintenance budgets they also see how solar carports integrated with media stations are ripe for generating income at sporting events.  As the solar will reduce demand fees when stadium lights are on, but this solution also brings with it many creative ways to generate income for the Unversity.

We all agreed afterwards that the University of Colorado Boulder could be doing a better job at letting all visitors know about its nationally recognized sustainability efforts.  Promoting these efforts at sporting events with media terminals under solar carports generating power for the stadium would be a great way.

With over 40 new electric vehicle models to be introduced over the next five years from the major global vehicle makers, tailgaters may also find that the solar carports can power-up their car, or even their phone.  Perhaps a benefit best reserved for the VIP section where donors want to show off their new Tesla to fellow Alumni?

Plugging In your Car to Solar Carports when tailgating

Hard to say how solar carports will be implemented on a campus near you, but the reality is, we are moving towards a sustainable lifestyle.  Stadium events, and entire campuses are now becoming models that visitors are noticing and experiencing first hand.

Alumini are also a perfect target for funding this high profile solar carports.  Not only can they help to reduce the capital expense – by asking to pay for structures that can be dedicated with the family name, but potential sponsors can also chip in. The facility crew will also see their budget go further, as the energy bill will be small,  as the solar carports will reduce the peak load when all the lights of the stadium are turned on mid-day at the football game.  Custom branded solar carports can be used for VIP sections-  just like a sky box for tailgating.  The media terminals will play in progress football games, or even Nascar events with periodic mentions of the sponsors - and most importantly -  the university can now promote its sustainabilty efforts as well --  on screen!

Use Sponsors to pay for solar carports at stadiums

Couple all of this with Zam Energy’s lease program, that does not require the University to outlay any capital cost for this infrastructure, and you have a win - win for all involved.

We also offer translucent solar carports for security purposes, and integrate complete monitoring of each solar carport to ensure peak usage of each panel.

Professional Sports, Hospitals and College Campuses use Solar and Sustainability

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Energy efficiency,  recycling, water conservation, and renewable energy are all part of the campus and stadium experience today....

Millions of students and fans across the United States are experiencing upfront practical, cost-effective solutions to living lighter.

It is remarkable the amount of direct financial savings in utility costs sports leagues, campuses and hospitals are saving by using solar, and energy efficiency measures.  The NRDC has looked at case studies of sports teams and venues which are adopting environmental practices to improve their operations and save money while using their unique cultural and economic influence to demonstrate to thousands of businesses and millions of people how to be better environmental stewards. Yet, despite the impressive strides this industry is already taking to protect the environment, the sports greening movement is just beginning. The potential is enormous for professional sports to help move society toward more sustainable practices and lead our economy to a stronger future.  

As the E2 Chapter Director, on January 16th, 2013 I will be the Master of Ceremony for a luncheon at Folsom Field, where we have joined over 80 leaders from major cities, professional sports and college campuses to review just how to put these practices into operations.

For an indepth look, download the 118 pages Game Changer report which offers key findings from case studies, such as: 

• All Commissioners of professional sports leagues in the United States have made commitments to environmental stewardship and are actively encouraging the teams in their leagues to incorporate sustainable measures into their operations.
• 15 professional North American stadiums or arenas have achieved LEED green building design certifications, 18 have installed onsite solar arrays, and virtually all have developed or are developing recycling and/or composting programs.

• Among all sports leagues, Major League Baseball has the best-developed environmental data measurement program, followed by the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association.
• Of the 126 professional sports teams in the five major professional North American leagues, 38 teams have shifted to renewable energy for at least some of their operations, and 68 have energy efficiency programs.
• All of the large sports concessionaires, that collectively feed tens of millions of people each year, have developed environmentally preferable menus for at least some of their offerings.

Download your copy at: www.nrdc.org/greenbusiness/guides/.../Game-Changer-report.pdf

 

Stadiums and Smart Solar Lighting

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Solar lighting at stadiums can result in superior aesthetics, cost savings, and reliability.

BSU- Boise State University put up solar lighting with the solar wrapped lighting - reducing the energy footprint on site at the stadium.  Displaying to all visitors who come what the new normal is for future stadium design.

Solar lighting offers an economically and environmentally superior solution to traditional street and area lighting technologies. Solar energy generation and LED lighting combine to provide the most efficient lighting systems available – systems that are truly net-zero. You can go off-grid and eliminate costly infrastructure and power bills, or go on-grid and achieve net-zero energy consumption. While our solar lighting offers many benefits, which products are right for you?All components are integrated in a secure compartment within the base of the pole, slashing installation and maintenance costs while improving safety and reducing liability.

The Greening of sports

Over in Kansas City, Royals’ Kauffman Stadium has the largest in-stadium solar array in Major League Baseball. It is a 28.8 kilowatt array made up of 120 solar panels capable of generating 36,000 KW of electricity every year. That’s enough energy to refrigerate all the concession beverages in the stadium prior to sale to attendees.