Features Overview

Merck Pharmaceuticals Solar Array

The PROJECT

Ray Angelini Inc contracted Thomas Phoenix International as the erector for the steel structure installation. RAI was the primary solar power contractor for design engineering, installation and operation, and it has been responsible for maintenance since completion.

The CHALLENGE

From RAI: "The biggest challenge for us was to design and deliver [install] a structural steel canopy to support the solar panels but not interfere with the parking spaces when finished." Another challenge was meeting the weight limitation of the parking deck structures themselves. The site configuration required 300-ton and 500-ton cranes for erection of steel and an almost completely hand erected racking and panel system.

The RESULT

Each of the three completed arrays will consist of a steel structure built by RAI (erected by Thomas Phoenix Int’l) with a canopy of solar panel racking system mounted to that structure.

Altogether, when finished, the 6,125 solar panels covered about 3 1/2 acres of space over the three parking decks.