A joint project of Roofscapes, Inc. & Cahill Associates
A revolutionary concept to economically transform the environmental nightmare of parking lots into earth-positive facilities, by integratingshade, solar panels and green roofing.
The Problem
"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot." - Joni Mitchell
Parking facilities are emblematic of urban environmental degradation.
The extensive water-impervious parking lots of our malls, factories, universities, and airports play a large role in the deterioration of our urban environment, creating—
Massive rain run-off laden with polluting metals, grease, and oils;
Intensified emissions pollution due to heated gasoline tanks;
Increased ambient air temperatures and smog that threaten human health;
Night-time light pollution that distresses human neighbors and migratory birds alike; and
Soul-numbing aesthetics, more suited to the surface of Mars than planet Earth.
These large expanses also provide no protection for drivers and passengers from—
Driving rain or snow,
Suffocating summer heat,
Headache-inducing glare and fumes, or
Dangerously hot car interiors..
Typical parking deck
Structural plan for retrofit Parking Green Solar Canopy™
The Solution
Now, the Parking Green Solar Canopy™, readily built or retrofitted on lots and garages, can transform these massive, detrimental expanses into ecologically positive spaces.
The lightweight metal frame integrates and supports four components:
A water-absorbing 2-4" Roofmeadow® vegetative cover,
A durable waterproofing membrane,
Revolutionary thin-film membrane-bonded photovoltaic cells, and
Clear polycarbonate skylights for passive lighting.
This unique combination of technologies —
Produces clean electricity ø 5.47 watts /sq ft solar panel ø
Supplies the facility's needs,
Generates income from excess wattage routed to the grid, and
Reduces carbon fuel emissions from power plants;
Mitigates stormwater run-off ø
Restores open space runoff characteristics for 98% of all rainfall;
Captures 60-70% of annual rainfall;
Totally eliminates runoff when augmented with integrated vertical storage units;
Dramatically reduces pollutants through natural filtering;
Captures water for alternative uses :
Landscape irrigation,
Flushing systems,
Chiller makeup,
Wash down,
Base flow augmentation to receiving waters.
Protects both cars and people from sun and precipitation during the day;
Reduces the need for artificial light and shields the sky and surroundings at night;
Cools ambient air through plant transpiration; and
Creates an attractive, inviting area for customers and employees.
There are many financial incentives to install Parking Eco-Canopies™—
Reduce electric and water bills,
Generate income from electricity returned to the grid,
Attract potential customers,
Increase employee health, morale, and productivity,
Receive Federal "green" accelerated depreciation and tax credits for solar arrays, and
Take advantage of incentives and subsidies in many regions.
In addition, the high-prestige LEED certification program recognizes the benefits of the Parking Green Solar Canopyª:
SS Credit (v2)
6.1 Stormwater Management, Flow Reduction 1 point
6.2 Stormwater Management, Flow Treatment 1 point
7.1 Reduce Heat Islands - Non-Roof Surfaces 1 point
7.2 Reduce Heat Islands - Roof Surfaces 1 point
8.0 Light Pollution Reduction 1 point
The Parking Green Solar Canopyª is the invention of Tom Cahill (Cahill Associates), one of America's leading environmental consultants, working in collaboration with Charlie Miller (Roofscapes, Inc.), the pre-eminent green roof engineer in North America. Cahill Associates has led water resource innovations nationally since 1974, balancing human uses of urban land and water resources, including LEED Green Building ratings for USGBC and overall sustainable site design. Roofscapes, Inc. has built over 20 green eco-roofs in North America , with 15 more currently in design.
For more technical information, or to inquire about installing a Parking Green Solar Canopyª, contactÑ
