SunEdison, in partnership with Solaire Generation, has developed and financed a 325kW solar carport system at Whole Foods Market.
The project features six Solaire Generation solar parking canopies at their new, highly sustainable grocery store in Brooklyn, NY. The solar energy system will supply approximately 380,000 kWh of clean energy annually and is the largest solar parking system in New York City.
In addition to meeting 25 percent of the store’s projected electricity needs, the solar canopies’ patented dual-incline design will provide protection from sun, snow and rain for Whole Foods Market shoppers.
The new store, named “Third and 3rd” for the location’s cross streets in Brooklyn, sits on a remediated brownfield site along the Gowanus Canal and contains off-grid, self-generated light-emitting diode (LED) parking lot lighting, self-generating car charging stations via wind and solar power, and a combined heat and power (CHP) system.
The rooftop hosts a 20,000 square foot greenhouse, built and operated by Gotham Greens, leaving no room for a traditional rooftop solar installation. Whole Foods Market and SunEdison  turned to Solaire to provide a solar solution to maximize potential energy production from the parking lot.
The selected Solaire Premium F2 canopies also feature an integrated storm water management system to lower the building’s water use and reduce storm runoff into the Gowanus. The system collects storm water and feeds it into a 30,000-gallon tank beneath the parking lots where it is stored for filtration and non-potable reuse within the building.