See photos of the installation here.
TOLEDO, OH., January 15, 2010 – ShadePlex, the leading supplier of solar-electric, flexible use architectural fabrics, and The Lathrop Company have announced the completion of a solar carport structure with ShadePlex’s innovative PV-FlexMount™ solar panels. PV-FlexMount solar panels are new lightweight and flexible, high power panels featuring ShadePlex’s unique, patent-pending fabric frames.
The carport demonstration structure is a natural fit for The Lathrop Company, an Ohio affiliate of Turner Construction, which is both the largest general contractor and largest builder of LEED projects in the U.S. "Our company is committed to supporting innovative building products that promote green building concepts, as well as supporting in any way we can the growing group of Northwest Ohio companies in the alternative energy segment. When we were introduced to ShadePlex and heard of their need for a demonstration project site, it seemed a perfect fit to undertake this project at our recently LEED certified headquarters building," said Tom Manahan, President of The Lathrop Company.
The carport, located in the parking lot of Lathrop’s Maumee, Ohio headquarters, is the first commercial demonstration of ShadePlex’s new solar panels – panels which are unique because they are 3 to 5 times lighter than rigid solar panels framed in glass and metal, and which unlike most solar technology generate electricity on cloudy days as well as sunny days. The panels in Lathrop’s carport are framed in an attractive and durable, dark green fabric, making the structure not just functionally "green" but visually appealing as well. According to Brian Tell, ShadePlex’s President, PV-FlexMount is the first solar panel produced in a wide variety of colors to fit with almost any architectural or property configuration.
The carport structure was designed by Maumee, Ohio-based Applied Technologies, Inc. (ATI). It covers two parking spaces and is engineered to provide shade and protection from the elements, while also withstanding heavy wind and snow loads. The structure also allows for fast and easy installation of ShadePlex’s PV-FlexMount panels. "Reducing the time and manpower needed to install and maintain solar panel structures is a huge advantage to the customer," said Craig Winn, ATI’s CEO. "That was a top priority for this project."
In addition to reducing installation costs, ShadePlex believes fabric carports with PV-FlexMount can increase the value of parking lots. "Without solar, most parking areas are often just sunk costs," Tell stated. "With shaded PV structures, there are opportunities to recapture those costs or generate additional revenues through electricity sales back to the utility, charging user fees for premium parking, or increased customer loyalty."
Tell added, "The typical airport, mall, school or office building has hundreds if not thousands of open, unshaded parking spaces. Using our products in multiple parking canopies can easily support electric vehicle infrastructure and commercial power loads in addition to providing shade. While this is a small demo project, a larger installation using PV-FlexMount will allow commercial customers to lock-in a competitive rate for electricity and save thousands of dollars a year on their utility electric bills, as well as reduce carbon emissions."
PV-FlexMount can also be used on flat commercial roofs without the use of glues, resins or roof penetrations, and on sports/event dome roofs, and military or emergency relief tents. The panels are available in 92, 110, and 330 watt power classes.
ABOUT SHADEPLEX
ShadePlex is a leading manufacturing integrator of solar-electric fabrics for buildings and structures. Based in northwest Ohio, a global center of excellence in solar technology research, development, and manufacturing, ShadePlex seeks to expand the worldwide use of solar technology through innovative applications with industrial and architectural fabrics. For more information, visit
www.ShadePlex.com.
ABOUT THE LATHROP COMPANY
Established in 1895 and based in Maumee, The Lathrop Company offers a variety of construction services to a broad range of clients, including those in the industrial/manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and institutional sectors. The Lathrop Company is a subsidiary of Turner Construction Company, which is recognized as the leading general builder in the U.S. For more information, visit
www.turnerconstruction.com/lathrop.
