Submitted by Stronghold Engineering

This $1.9-million design-build solar photovoltaic carport project in San Diego consisted of a 216W STC, 185W PTC system with an anticipated kW power generation of 204.5 kW. The total number of Sharp ND-U216C1 modules installed on this project was 1,106 with 79 strings of 14 modules.

The Miramar solar carport structure spans over 160 parking spaces providing over 25,000 sq ft of coverage for vehicles parking below. In addition, a building to house the inverters and electrical equipment was constructed to protect the equipment from potentially damaging weather conditions.

The system required the installation of two 100kW PV powered inverters, a new switch board to connect to the existing site distribution board, a new circuit breaker, metering equipment, and a power production monitoring system.

The power production monitoring system installed is Fat Spaniel’s most state-of-the-art system that allows viewing of system specific data via the Internet by the customer and/or contractor for maintenance and data generation purposes.

The goal of the design was to create an aesthetically pleasing structure that was both cost efficient and supported the solar photovoltaic modules that provide enough energy to power the adjacent building 6311. Through multiple design reviews, the project team decided on a tiered trellis look for the carport, which will now be used throughout the base for future solar carport projects.

This project was designed and constructed in under 200 days and was turned over on time, within budget, and with zero incidents or lost time.

The project provides enough energy to allow an entire building, building 6311 that houses the Resident Officer in Charge of Construction, to operate without the need for energy usage from the utility provider and substantially reducing Miramar’s power usage in general. In addition, the system greatly reduces the carbon footprint of the facility it powers and its reliance on carbon based fuel sources, which helps sustain our earth for future generations.

Project Team

Developer/Owner: U.S. Department of the Navy, San Diego
General Contractor: Stronghold Engineering Inc., Riverside
Construction Management: Stronghold Engineering Inc., Riverside
Civil Engineer: Burns Engineering Inc., Irvine
Structural Engineer: Burns Engineering Inc., Irvine
MEP Engineer: Burns Engineering Inc., Irvine
Subcontractors: M BAR C Construction, San Marcos; Rhew Plumbing & Mechanical, Temecula; Webco, Oxnard