If properly maintained, the life span of solar carports could be 75 years or longer. According to Robert Pegnato, the life span of a solar carport is a function of good corrosion resistant design and adequate corrosion resistant protection of the metal.
Corrosion or more specifically oxidation via galvanic reaction requires several conditions be present. First there must be and electrolyte (i.e. water, moisture, acid, etc) that allows for the migration of atoms and electrons to flow from one metal to the other or from one part of the structure to the other. To the extent that good physical and structural design eliminates or minimizes locations where water can reside, we have eliminated a key condition for corrosion. That’s why it is important to look at connection and structural detail closely. Structural Solar is a leading supplier of solar carports across the country and the company is typically cited by its clients for its attention to detail and uncompromising commitment to long term durability. According to Pegnato, Structural Solar designs its carports with heavier tube and structural sections as opposed to light gauge roll formed sections. Lightweight roll formed C and Z purlins typically have an upturned lip. While that contributes to its strength, it also acts to retain water and sets up a condition for corrosion. It’s an outdoor structure that is exposed to the elements. It needs to be low or no maintenance for a minimum of 20 to 25 years. Galvanize or paint coatings alone will not provide that type of performance if design isnotas a as the anode to the cathode finish to protect the steel. Structural Solar LLC is a leading design-build company who specializes in attractive and low maintenance solar carports for institutional, municipal and commercial solar installations. The highly attractive, yet low maintenance solar carports are also cost efficient alternatives to rooftop solar installations. The company manages the design, fabrication, coating and installation of foundations and “module-ready” solar structures, most notably solar canopies or carports in parking lots.
Structural Solar LLC is a leading supplier of attractive and low maintenance solar carports to solar integrators developing university, hospital and other institutional and commercial solar projects where aesthetics provide an inspirational edge. The company has been recognized for award winning design on high profile institutional and municipal projects and can provide signed and sealed structural drawings for projects across North America.
As a solar canopy company, Structural Solar designs to stringent specifications assuring durability and long term customer satisfaction. Moreover, Structural Solar provides customized curved and linear designs to meet the most demanding architectural requirements. The structures are designed to be low or no maintenance for 25 years. This is accomplished through careful design to minimize or avoid dissimilar metals, or conditions that would otherwise be favorable to galvanic cell reaction. According to the Structural Solar LLC’s president, Robert Pegnato who is a metallurgical engineer with advanced studies in corrosion resistant design, the company first seeks to design connections that reduce or eliminate the potential for standing water that might otherwise serve as an electrolyte in the corrosion process. Second, Structural Solar specifies either hot dipped galvanize (HDG) or a special 3 coat industrial – marine grade paint finish for the final product. While the inherent protection (“reactions”) from “HDG” and the 3-part paint finishes are vastly different, both finishes have been tested and offer superior results to common G-90 or conventional paint systems in normal corrosive environments. Accordingly, the company has become the premier solar canopy supplier for solar installations on the East Coast, Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions, and continues to grow across the US and Canada.
Structural Solar LLC designs and builds durable, economical and low maintenance “module-ready” solar carports and canopies. For more information on how the company can make a difference in your project, call or visit the website of the solar canopy company who can get the job done, on time and within budget.