Arizona State University (ASU) has teamed with NRG Solar, a subsidiary of NRG Energy Inc., to construct a 2.1 MW solar installation at ASU's Tempe campus, adjacent to its Sun Devil Stadium.
The 5.25-acre PowerParasol design will cover 800 covered parking spaces in lot 59, the university's largest blacktop surface parking lot. Within the 25-year, $10.5 million agreement, NRG will own and operate the PowerParasol, and in exchange, ASU will pay flat electricity rates during the term.
Within three to four years, the university is expected to receive reduced electricity rates, according to the project partners. ASU also has the opportunity to reduce further the total project cost through revenue streams, including the ability to generate advertising income made possible from signage that can be displayed on eight-foot-wide lateral structural supports that stabilize the PowerParasol.
Construction on the structure is slated to begin in mid-August be completed before the end of the year.