Students have 44 extra covered parking spaces in Parking Structure 2, thanks to
solar-powered laminates installed in March.
The solar-powered laminates add shade and convert sunlight to electrical power by activating electrons that flow through semi-conductors, said Ray Tena, assistant director for engineering and design services for Capital Programs Management. The solar panels power the lights in Structure 2, which is located at McAllister Avenue and Tyler Street.
The one-fourth-inch thick photovoltaic (PV) laminate material uses adhesive to bond to the top of the roof panels.
"It's very small, but it has enough power to light all of the lights in the structure," Tena said.
ASU has been working on solar powered laminates as part of the new International Institute for Sustainability.
"We've been looking at solar power for three years," Tena said. "This is just a pilot program with one of the smaller structures."
The laminates cost $350,000, but ASU was able to get a rebate of $140,000 from Arizona Public Service.
Students in Structure 2 didn't realize they were parking underneath the laminates.
"I just park here because it's close, and I can save time," electrical engineering graduate student Essam Al-Ammar said.
After looking at the laminates, Al-Ammar said he was more worried about the laminates falling than conserving electricity.
"I'm scared about my car," he said. "If one little string broke, the whole thing could come down."
But Tena said that's unlikely -- the laminates are strong enough to walk on and should last for 20 years.
Capital Programs is looking at Structure 7, at Packard Drive and Sixth Street, as the next possible project.
"Once we have more funding we'll look at designing other structures," Tena said. "We have so much sunlight here, it's a good thing to look at."
Mechanical engineering senior Phil Dickson hopes other structures will follow the lead of Structure 2.
"No other structures have shade on the roof like this one," he said.
After they finish building solar panels, Capital Programs Management will look into is water conservation, Tena said.
Reach the reporter at kristi.eaton@asu.edu.