Deerfield Solar Tour Site 1: CSF Solar Pergola
Installed Summer 2020 – 15 kW
Array powers the barbershop in Liberty Commons
Installer: Cris Folk
This solar pergola is the prototype for a new kind of solar structure. Designed for beauty as well as function, it can be used in residential, business or community projects. It uses 36 bifacial solar panels, which use albedo, or reflected light to begin charging from early morning until well into the afternoon.
Even though the canopy faces east (solar arrays usually face south) and is tilted at only 4 degrees (flatter than typical) the bifacial panels make this array particularly productive in the winter months.
Since installation, this canopy has shed snow within a day or two of a snow storm, largely due to the fact that even when the surface of the canopy is covered, the panels produce power from the back of the panel using reflected light. That power production warms the panels slightly, allowing the snow to melt and slide off.
The array has outlets on the front row of columns that can charge electric vehicles at either 220 or 110 volts.
Outlets are available to the public if no other events are scheduled. Please limit charging to daylight hours, when the outlets are powered by the sun.
CSF envisions this space as a community space, perfect for outdoor meetings or just a quiet spot to eat your lunch.
We host educational solar events and in the future may even rent the space out for weddings or special gatherings. This photo is from our first fundraiser concert, held every year under the pergola. Go to our Fundraiser page for more information on the next event.
Visit the Deerfield Solar Dashboard to learn more about the power produced by this and other Deerfield solar arrays.
Tour Information
ASES National Solar Tour: Always the first full weekend in October.
Self-directed tour: Any time. Pick up map at Couillard Solar Foundation offices (Mon-Fri) or download below.