Case Study: Chicago Park District achieves a sustainable EV refueling solution with Thornton Tomasetti’s solar canopy engineering

Chicago Park District launches solar canopy prototype in 25 days with Thornton Tomasetti

The Chicago Park District required a public refueling station for electric vehicles, bicycles, and scooters on Northerly Island. Thornton Tomasetti provided structural engineering and steel detailing services to design and build an innovative solar canopy structure to meet this need.

Thornton Tomasetti engineered an elegant, tree-like steel superstructure that supports photovoltaic panels. The design, completed in just 25 days, minimized encroachment on parking spaces and maximized shop fabrication for quality control. The resulting solar canopy can generate enough electricity to power up to 30,000 carbon-free miles per year for two vehicles.

Chicago Park District