MAGE SOLAR, part of the globally operating MAGE GROUP, announced an innovative solar canopy at the Kirk-Rudy office complex in Woodstock, GA that is unique in Georgia.
The 100kW-system is designed out of 432 high-performance MAGE POWERTEC PLUS 230/P modules and measures almost 500ft. in length. The sleek, modern steel canopy provides parking spaces and shading for 50 vehicles and was designed, engineered, and installed by Creative Solar USA, also a Woodstock company. Using primarily local companies and workers as well as building materials from Georgia was a vision that the President of Kirk-Rudy, Rick Marshall, had from the beginning when first envisioning a sustainable, long-lasting, and high-efficient parking solution for the employees of the leading paper machinery manufacturer.
“All of our labor and subcontracting was sourced locally and 85% of our materials were bought from Georgia based companies,” says Russell Seifert, CEO of Creative Solar USA. “Solar power not only helps our country with energy independence on a global scale, but is also a benefit to our local economic community.”
Besides offsetting 30% of Kirk-Rudy’s energy consumption, MAGE SOLAR’s high-efficiency polycrystalline modules also power a charging station for electric vehicles, making it the first truly multi-functional solar canopy in the state of Georgia. Metro Plug-In, also based in Woodstock, provided the Level 2 charging station (240V) which can power PEVs like the Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt in as little as four hours while employees are at work.
“Seeing more and more of these applications is truly a great sign,” comments MAGE SOLAR USA President Joe Thomas. “MAGE SOLAR is excited to be part of this remarkable and esthetically pleasing project: Solar canopies like this are an increasingly attractive alternative to plain, heat-producing parking lots and they perfectly represent Kirk-Rudy’s image as an industry leader in cutting-edge technology.”