Redefining the solar canopy standard for gaming resorts

The Challenge

MGM Springfield, which opened in August 2018, is a unique hotel and gaming resort comprising of multiple buildings and an eight-story parking garage in downtown Springfield, MA. Casinos and gaming resorts use an enormous amount of electricity to run their operations, and MGM has set multiple metric-based climate goals for 2030 including: reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 50% and sourcing 80% renewable electricity globally, and sourcing 100% renewable electricity in the U.S. From both an economic and environmental standpoint, it made sense when MGM Springfield’s leadership decided to incorporate on-site solar into the facility.

But the diversity and complexity of the building’s architecture and location proved challenging. To design and install a canopy solution for such a tall building in an urban landscape — one that creates savings for MGM, fits their energy consumption, and matched their existing architecture — required creative thinking and financing, and a tight partnership between DSD and MGM.

The Execution

The construction of this solar project required tight coordination with MGM to ensure no disruption to their 24/7 operations. DSD was able to design and construct these canopies in phases to accommodate the casino’s schedule and keep their operations intact, achieving mechanical completion within 6 months of the start of construction despite ofweather challenges.