Can Solar Shade Structures Help Cool The Phoenix Area?

Published: Monday, August 27, 2018 - 2:17pm
Updated: Tuesday, September 4, 2018 - 10:26am
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Mark Brodie/KJZZ
ASU solar panels.
Mark Brodie/KJZZ
Boscamp below ASU solar panels

Supported by Intel

Climate has always been one of Arizona’s selling points, but this time of year, it can feel like more of a downside.

There are efforts to try to deal with the heat and, in some cases, reverse the warming trends. The Show has been looking into some of those efforts over the course of the summer: Solar shade structures.

You’ve probably seen them in parking lots across the Valley, providing shade for cars while also producing energy.

To find out more about them, The Show met up with Bob Boscamp in a parking lot on the north side of Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.

Boscamp is president of Strategic Solar Energy, which is the owner and developer of the Power Parasol solar shade. We stood underneath one of his installations, which covers vehicles, but also the aisles and walkways.

It’s up to 34 feet tall, which he says allows for shaded BBQs and other tailgating. He said this lot produces enough energy to service around 250 homes.

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