Promega Canopies (Solar Trees), Chilworth

Calcinotto were appointed by Promega, one of the world’s leading Biotech companies, to provide 12 Solar Canopies

Challenge

Harness the full potential of sustainable energy

The proposed new solar trees are designed to power the electric car charging stations within the Southampton quarters as well as easing the electrical load for the Promega offices on the existing site.

Solution

Bespoke Panels with high surface area

These 12 canopies, also called trees, were designed with Architecture PLB and provide power to the Promega offices on site, whilst also powering the three charging stations (electric vehicles). They were installed in the existing car park.

The solar canopies are supported on insitu concrete pad foundations, some of which are single pads and some which are combined bases supporting two solar canopies. The structure is made up of a series of fabricated welded plate of varying size which forms a ‘tree like’ structure which in turn supports the solar panels. A model of the tree was constructed so that the wind loads and notional horizontal loads could be determined, and the foundations of the trees are either square or rectangular pads, utilising reinforced steel and concrete.

The design of the trees is to promote green solutions and serve a dual purpose: By harnessing sunlight that would otherwise go unused, solar canopies and awnings not only generate electricity but also provide shade and shelter for people and vehicles.