Greentech Lead America: Build Group has completed the
first phase of a solar support canopy project at the West Los Angeles Veterans
Affairs Medical Center. The company has provided design/build services to REC
Solar.
Phase I consists of 3.72 MW of the 6.8 MW of solar
carports slated for installation. The project will be the largest installation
of solar canopies on a VA hospital campus in the U.S.
Build Group said the company has kept the parking lots
open by sequencing the work to accommodate automobile and pedestrian traffic.
The implementation team posted prominent signs and performed preplanning of
logistics to ensure the safety of hospital staff, patients and visitors during
installation.
The project design incorporates seven solar panels across
each T structure, compared to the industry standard of only six panels. By
elevating more panels with the same amount of structure, the per-unit watt return
is maximized. Due to winds in the area, the structure is designed to withstand
a standard 85 MPH wind. Cost efficient drilled cast-in-place piles were used as
well as 240-watt panels.
Build Group utilizes its supply chain of AISC certified
structural steel fabricators to source the materials on behalf of clients. With
a strong pipeline of manufacturers, Build Group guarantees clients high quality
products at extremely competitive prices. Only domestic materials were utilized
for the West Los Angeles VA project in accord with the Federal Buy American
Act.
“Our solar canopy expertise allows us to expedite
construction thereby minimizing impact on business operations. We are pleased
to help the Department of Veterans Affairs achieve their goal of becoming a leader
in alternative energy,” said Eric Horn, Build Group‘s Chief
Operating Officer.
“Build Group worked very successfully with us and
delivered high quality product and proactive service while keeping the VA’s
busy parking lots in full operation. We rely on them for innovative designs
that result in fast, high-quality execution,” said Burke Kascha-Hare, Director
of Federal Business Development at REC Solar.
Build Group’s other solar structure projects include:
another 3 MW for REC Solar at the West Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital; 8 MW
for Chevron Energy Solutions at various campuses throughout Eastside Union High
School District in San Jose, California; 1.4 MW for REC Solar at the Bay Pines
Veterans Affairs Hospital, California; .504 MW for REC Solar at the Martinez
Veterans Affairs Hospital, California and 9 MW for Solar City at various school
districts in Lancaster, Chico, and Davis, California.