Commercial Solar Engineering and Racking Solutions
Elevated solar is a structural project. Our internal engineering team designs each array for the building it sits on, with location-specific stamped drawings.
Structural engineering
Location-specific stamped drawings covering local building codes, wind loading and structural requirements. Every project comes with guaranteed system integrity and performance.
Roofing integration
Flashing in line with roofing manufacturer requirements protects roofing integrity and preserves roof warranties where applicable.
Layout for obstructed roofs
Arrays are laid out over HVAC units, ductwork and vents to use roof area that conventional layouts leave empty.
Roof structures we have engineered for
| Roof structure | Project | Size | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cement slab, I-beam and bar joist | Burr | 725.7 kW | W System and Elevated Flush Mount |
| Wood joist | Fitch & G St. | 700 kW | W System |
| Cement slab | Cityline – Solar Solutions and HESP | 535 kW | Elevated Flush Mount |
| Cement slab | Washington Square | 522 kW | W System, Flush Mount and High Tilt |
| Cement slab | Lafayette | 385 kW | Flush Mount and Elevated Flush Mount |
| Cement slab | 3801 Connecticut Ave. | 297.3 kW | W System |
| Cement slab | Kenmore | 185 kW | W System |
| Cement slab | Hotel DC | 180.2 kW | W System and Flush Mount |
| Cement slab and bar joist | Randolph Towers | 160 kW | W System |
| Wood truss | Logan Station | 155 kW | W System |
| Concrete slab | 20 M Street | 153 kW | W System and Flush Mount |
| Cement slab | Locke Hall | 137.76 kW | W System and High Tilt |
| Concrete slab | 1441 Rhode Island Ave. | 136 kW | W System |
| Cement slab | 1909 – Aurora Energy | 125 kW | W System, Flush Mount and High Tilt |
Engineering questions
Can solar panels be installed above HVAC equipment?
Yes. Elevated commercial solar racking systems can be engineered to position solar panels above existing HVAC units and other rooftop equipment, subject to structural, clearance, ventilation, safety, and maintenance requirements. This approach can increase usable installation area on crowded commercial rooftops. Read more about solar above HVAC equipment, see the Elevated Flush Mount System and the Burr project, or discuss your project.
What is the best solar racking system for a crowded commercial rooftop?
The appropriate racking system depends on rooftop obstructions, structural capacity, wind loads, height restrictions, maintenance access, and energy objectives. Elevated solutions such as Universal Renewables' W System and Elevated Flush Mount can provide additional flexibility for complex commercial rooftops. Compare the racking systems, see the W System on the 3801 Connecticut Ave. project, or discuss your project.
Does elevated solar increase commercial rooftop capacity?
It can. By positioning solar panels above obstacles that would otherwise limit installation area, elevated systems may accommodate additional panels compared with certain conventional layouts. The actual capacity improvement requires project-specific engineering and layout analysis. Read about commercial rooftop solar and our engineering, see the Washington Square case study, or discuss your project.
Discuss your project with our engineers
Tell us about the building. We reply by email or phone.