1. TAWA Power Solar Shaded
Parking Structures for
Native American Resorts
and Casinos
WHY SOLAR SHADED PARKING
STRUCTURES?
Have you ever watched the first cars parking on a sun
soaked parking lot? Patrons will seek even the smallest
sliver of shade from landscaping plants, even from a cac-
tus! They will walk extra distances to use even a margin-
ally shaded spot. This tells you how much patrons value
shaded parking.
As a resort and casino operator you want to offer com-
fort to your guests. Solar shaded parking can provide this
comfort while also harnessing the sun’s power to provide
clean, renewable energy to your resort and casino. It’s
a unique solution that preserves the parking spot, adds
comfort and protection for the guest’s car, and provides
power. It might even create additional income from rent-
ing shaded parking and selling carbon credits from re-
duced emissions.

2. SOLAR SHADED PARKING STRUCTURES
OFFER MANY BENEFITS
Attract Gamblers
Gamblers today have many choices where to go and prefer those
casinos which offer the best experience and greatest comfort.
h Comfort: Gamblers love the comfort of getting into a cool car.
h Protection: Drivers recognize the value of protecting their cars
from the damaging sun.
Lead in Clean Tech
h Green Statement: Tribes who offer solar shaded parking make
a visible statement about their commitment to environmental
leadership.
h Electric Vehicle Charging: Electric vehicles are here to stay and
solar charging stations pave the way!
Generate Your Own Power
h Energy Production: A typical casino can produce nearly all of
its electrical energy from solar shaded parking, often making it
energy independent.
h Cut Power Bills: Solar shaded parking can save on power bills,
especially by avoiding peak time tariffs.
Operate Smarter
h Mitigate Urban Heat Islands: Shaded parking reduces the urban
heat island effect around a casino. Lower ambient temperatures
result in lower building cooling loads.
h Electric Fleet: With solar charging stations resort and casino
service vehicles can convert to electric ones making for quieter
and more efficient operations.
h Income: In some situation shaded parking can be rented to gam-
blers and guests.

3. QUICK FACTS ABOUT SOLAR SHADED
PARKING STRUCTURE
Very Quick to Build. Power Your Electric Vehicle.
Field installation takes about 6-8 weeks, depending on One parking spot could recharge half the battery of a
soil conditions, for one megawatt of solar shaded park- standard electric vehicle during the day. (1)
ing which would cover about 500 vehicles.
Save Some Carbon.
Can be Built During Off-season Solar energy from one parking spot a year avoids the
and in Phases. emission of about 3 metric tons of CO2 from Western
Construction can be scheduled and phased to minimize power plants. (2)
disruption to the public and ongoing operations.
Cost Effective and Easy to Do. (1) Electric vehicle (EV) charging will require the installation of
EV charging stations with additional engineering and cost.
Based on an assumed energy production per parking spot of
15 kWh/day and a battery size of 24 kWh.
The cost of solar shaded parking structures is compa-
(2) Assumes annual generation of 1,870 MWh for 1 MW|AC.
rable to roof-mounted systems, but parking structures CO2 offset numbers based on an Environmental Protection
Agency calculator which assumes 7.0555 × 10-4 metric tons
don’t change the building’s architectural appeal or CO 2 / kWh (25 Feb 2013).
penetrate the roof envelope and risk leaks.
HOW TAWA WORKS WITH RESORTS
AND CASINOS
Since TAWA has been in business, it has earned the trust of Native American
tribes and nations. We offer true Native American leadership, a commitment
to serve native and tribal clients professionally and with personal attention,
and unparalleled expertise in solar. TAWA Power delivers the right-sized, cost-
effective, economically sound and aesthetically pleasing solar shaded parking
structure solution for Native American resort and casino. Planning and build-
ing solar systems is TAWA’s business. We are experts in assessing dependable
solar technology, developing projects and building proven financial models.
We will sit down with you to explore your interest and needs. We then review
options and advise you on the best solution for you and your business – tak-
ing into account all aspects of the project. If you decide to proceed we can help
oversee all aspects of the development, construction and financial structur-
ing (if needed). All you have to do is park your car in the shade – and plug it in
(electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles).

4. Design and Selection Process
GETTING STARTED
The TAWA Team has decades of combined experience building so-
lar-shaded parking structures and commercial-scale solar projects. If you are considering a shaded
We know what works and what does not. We understand the cost, solar parking structure, here are
convenience and performance trade-offs among various structures three pieces of information that
and solar technology choices. help us to get started in making a
Through the professionals at TAWA we also bring to the project the proposal:
eyes of architects and builders. Together, TAWA and the resort and
1. What is the site address?
casino will design the system and select the components that opti-
mally meet your needs. We will pass our experience and expertise 2. Can you provide a basic prem-
on to you. We can recommend and bring in engineers, technology ise site plan showing the areas
suppliers and construction firms – or you can choose them your- of desired cover and primary
self. We are unified in trying to find the best solution for our Native electrical systems location?
American customers.
3. How much electricity does your
business consume per year and
Financing how much do you pay for elec-
tricity?
While energy from the sun is free, the cost of building a solar power
system is not. These costs have to be paid for upfront. Fortunately,
TAWA has experience in a wide variety of purchase and finance op-
tions, including third-party financing through leases or power pur- Contact:
chase agreements (“PPAs”).
TAWA Power
We can advise you on the right one for you. If you’d like to own the
One Sansome Street, Suite 725
system outright in the beginning, grants through various govern-
San Francisco, CA 94104
ment sources are potentially available to offset the purchase cost.
Greg Watkins, CEO
Whatever your preference, we have the experience to advise you on
(949) 887-3304
the best financing approach or even arrange for financing.
ABOUT TAWA POWER
TAWA Power (TAWA) is a Native American renewable energy ser-
vices company that enables federally recognized Native American
tribes and nations to develop, own and operate solar power plants
and create sustainable jobs. As a Native American company, TAWA
is trusted by tribes and nations as an experienced one-stop partner
to responsibly build solar projects on reservations and federal lands.
TAWA offers a standardized and streamlined development process
and operational experience in Indian country. As a pure develop- TAWA Power is Native American
ment and operation services company our incentives are aligned company and certified by California
with the successful development and ownership of solar power Public Utilities Commission as a Di-
plants by Native American tribes and nations. verse Business Enterprise (DBE).
www.TAWAPower.com