San Diego-based, SKYShades of Southern California designs, engineers & installs cutting-edge, UV protective, tension membrane shade structures. The company is the first to offer exclusive solar roofing fabrics through its Integrated Building Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) Systems. SKYShades' visually attractive shade structures create an identity and offer an inviting, less expensive alternative to brick and mortar shading in applications from resorts, playgrounds and schools to malls and recreation spaces.
Marymount High School, an independent Catholic college preparatory school in West Los Angeles will soon be installing four self-sustaining, clean-energy producing SKYShades® Solarbrellas™ across key areas of its expansive campus. The Solarbrellas, supplied by San Diego-based SKYShades of Southern California, will be the first of its kind in the world.
Each Solarbrella incorporates lightweight Power Plastic® thin film, otherwise known as Organic Photovoltaic Panels (OPV), onto the exterior of the SKYShades Solarbrella. On a typical day, the OPV panels on the Solarbrella will produce 640 watts (h) - enough energy to power four laptops for nine hours consecutively. The OPV panels, which are organic and 100% recyclable, are housed in membrane sleeves that allow for simple upgrades as technology demands increase.
Marymount High School has been collaborating closely with Diego Villamizar, Principal of SKYShades of Southern California, to better understand the benefits of organic photovoltaic energy and identify the best ways to utilize the Solarbrellas in an educational environment.
"The combination of architecturally inspired designs, solar energy production and UV protection, all under a tension membrane structure, is extremely innovative and practical," said Villamizar. "Marymount High School has a strong commitment to being at the forefront of new technology and of taking key steps toward stewarding the earth for future generations. I'm excited to be partnering with the school to drive sustainability initiatives."
For more information, contact Diego Villamizar, Principal of SKYShades of Southern California at (858) 337-8121 or diego@skyshades.com. Or, visit www.skyshades.com
San Diego-based, SKYShades of Southern California designs, engineers & installs cutting-edge, UV protective, tension membrane shade structures. The company is the first to offer exclusive solar roofing fabrics through its Integrated Building Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) Systems. SKYShades' visually attractive shade structures create an identity and offer an inviting, less expensive alternative to brick and mortar shading in applications from resorts, playgrounds and schools to malls and recreation spaces. 
Each Solarbrella incorporates lightweight Power Plastic® thin film, otherwise known as Organic Photovoltaic Panels (OPV), onto the exterior of the SKYShades Solarbrella. On a typical day, the OPV panels on the Solarbrella will produce 640 watts (h) - enough energy to power four laptops for nine hours consecutively. The OPV panels, which are organic and 100% recyclable, are housed in membrane sleeves that allow for simple upgrades as technology demands increase.
"The combination of architecturally inspired designs, solar energy production and UV protection, all under a tension membrane structure, is extremely innovative and practical," said Villamizar. "Marymount High School has a strong commitment to being at the forefront of new technology and of taking key steps toward stewarding the earth for future generations. I'm excited to be partnering with the school to drive sustainability initiatives."