Navajo Nation Shopping Centers, Inc. is constructing Active Shade® at their Tuba City Shopping Center
Tuba City, AZ, — Navajo Nation Shopping Centers, Inc. (NNSCI) is constructing Active Shade® solar photovoltaic (PV) shade structures at their Tuba City Shopping Center in Tuba City, AZ.
NNSCI partnered with Oculus Studio as the project architect. The solar PV shade structures will cover a total of 96 vehicle spaces and generate clean, renewable energy for Bashas Diné Market at the Tuba City Shopping Center..
“We are committed to investing in and implementing a sustainable energy infrastructure that enhances our property and supports the businesses that operate within it,” said Nicholas Taylor, NNSCI CEO. “The new parking structure will help reduce operating costs in the long term while improving the overall experience for our tenants and their customers. The shaded parking and clean energy solutions reflect our responsibility to be good stewards of the Navajo Nation and to create welcoming, comfortable destinations for locals and visitors from beyond.”
The solar shade parking canopies are designed to generate approximately 600,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean energy in their first year of operation, offsetting an estimated 50-60% of Bashas’ Diné Market’s annual electricity needs. This production is expected to reduce carbon emissions by roughly 440,000 pounds of CO₂ each year, an environmental benefit comparable to the amount of carbon sequestered by an estimated 444,000 acres of U.S. forests annually.
Construction of the project will occur within the existing parking areas of the Tuba City Shopping Center. NNSCI will provide updates to the community as construction milestones are reached. Project completion is expected by the end of 2026.
About Navajo Nation Shopping Centers, Inc.
Navajo Nation Shopping Centers, Inc. (NNSCI) is a property management and retail development company serving the Navajo Nation. NNSCI owns and manages nine grocery-anchored shopping centers throughout the Navajo Nation, providing essential goods and services to Navajo communities while promoting and supporting local economic growth.
About Oculus Studio
Oculus Studio is a Phoenix-based architecture and engineering company specializing in energy efficient and high-performance building design. Oculus Studio created Active Shade®, “Shade that Works™” to offer our clients the ability to install a tangible asset that converts their parking lots into welcoming places for people and community, while also generating clean renewable energy. To learn more, visit our website: www.oculus-studio.net
About Active Shade®
Active Shade® develops solar canopy projects with a client-centric approach to ensure high satisfaction and long term value. Utilizing a patented design concept, Active Shade® shifts the focus to a value proposition where people-friendly shaded outdoor spaces are funded by operational cost savings from the generation of clean renewable energy. To learn more, visit our webpage: www.active-shade.com