Va green initiative turns parking lot into power plant and shade for our veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System (VA PIHCS) has implemented a sustainable initiative by installing solar panels on regular carports, effectively transforming the existing parking lot into a power plant while also providing much-needed shade for our Veterans at the Guam Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).
The carport canopy comprises four separate structures and was thoughtfully designed with a deep-pile foundation capable of withstanding typhoon hurricane winds of up to 170 miles per hour. This innovative design approach ensured the construction process caused minimal disruption to the parking area, maintaining safe access for our Veterans and staff.
Mark Fienhold, the chief of Facilities Management/Engineering Service, stated that the photovoltaic (PV) system being installed is a 90-kilowatt system, expected to generate approximately 160,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This will lead to a remarkable 50 percent reduction in the CBOC’s electric consumption each year, resulting in cost savings of $40,000 annually. Additionally, this green initiative will significantly diminish the clinic’s energy usage and decrease the VA’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 100 metric tons per year.
This project holds significant promise for the VA as many facilities are situated in congested areas without available land for traditional solar farms. By installing solar canopies over existing parking lots, the VA can make dual use of the space by generating electricity while providing shade and cover for parked vehicles.
Notably, VA PIHCS has already incorporated PV systems on two buildings at its Honolulu facility. Future plans include installing carport-type systems in American Samoa and the Community Living Center (CLC) parking at the Tripler Army Medical Center campus on Oahu.
VA PIHCS remains dedicated to offering timely access to a wide range of medical care services to an estimated 50,000 Veterans across Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
