Car park shading using solar PV
The Solar Shaded Car Park project is commissioned by the King Abdulaziz University under the auspices of the King Salman Chair for Energy Research (KSCER) and the Vice‐presidency for Projects in collaboration with the University of Southampton. This project is to implement a demonstration programme encompassing an operational research and experimental analysis of how solar photovoltaics can be utilised and maintained as shading components in carports. The project is supported by researchers and engineers from Saudi Arabia and UK.
Supported by a joint engineering team from Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, the Solar Shaded Car Park system was installed in the campus of King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia within 48 hours. A large amount of work was carried out in the evening to benefit from cooler weather conditions and safer operation with solar panel connections.
See the video below of the last PV panel hoisted into place for car park shading at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Solar array cleaning system
An important part of the project is the design and implementation of solar array cleaning systems using water jets, air, and vibration motors have been installed and integrated into the car park structure. Understanding the scarcity of water in local environment, researchers of the project have designed cleaning schedules to only operate during evenings and have included water recycling units to collect water for reuse.
A series of tests were undertaken to observe the performance of the solar array and the cleaning systems. After successful tests of the PV system, the water recycling components were installed to minimise the consumption of water for cleaning functions. LED lights were also installed to ensure a more comfortable and safer usage of the car park facility.