Petersen Museum

The Petersen Automotive Museum partnered with TENCO SOLAR on a 581 kW rooftop and carport solar installation designed to reduce long-term energy costs and support the museum’s sustainability goals. The project was built to deliver meaningful onsite generation, long-term utility savings, and measurable environmental impact for one of Los Angeles’ most recognized institutions.  

Project Overview

Customer: Petersen Automotive Museum

Installer: TENCO SOLAR

System Type: Carport and Rooftop Solar

Utility: LADWP

Total System Size: 581 kW

System Components: 1,000+ PV modules

Structural Partner: MbarC

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Founded in 1994 by Robert E. Petersen and Margie Petersen, the Petersen Automotive Museum is one of the best-known automotive museums in the world. Located in the Miracle Mile district in Los Angeles, the museum is home to a globally recognized collection of historic, rare, and iconic vehicles, while also serving as a major cultural destination for automotive enthusiasts.

The Challenge

As one of the largest car museums in the US, the Petersen Automotive Museum operates with significant daytime energy demand driven by lighting, climate control, exhibit spaces, vehicle charging, and visitor services. Like many commercial properties in California, the museum needed a solution that could help lower operating costs, reduce exposure to rising utility rates, and support sustainability objectives without compromising the visitor experience.

The Solution

TENCO SOLAR installed a 581 kW solar system for the Petersen Automotive Museum using a combination of rooftop and carport solar. With more than 1,000 PV modules integrated across the site, the system was designed to maximize onsite generation while making efficient use of available building and parking infrastructure. TENCO SOLAR partnered with MbarC to deliver the carport structures, helping create a solar solution that combined functional performance with efficient site integration. Served by LADWP, the project helps the museum offset a substantial portion of its annual electricity use with clean solar power.

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The Results

Estimated Annual Production: ~1,008,561 kWh

Estimated Annual Utility Savings: ~$172,840 in year one

Estimated CO2 Offset: 15,801 tons

Transportation Impact Equivalent: 35,926,624 miles driven by cars

Environmental Impact Equivalent: 237,012 trees planted

By generating clean power onsite, the Petersen Automotive Museum reduces long-term exposure to utility cost volatility, lowers operating expenses, and reinforces its commitment to sustainability. The success of the original installation ultimately led to the museum requesting an additional system, reinforcing the long-term value of the project and confidence in TENCO SOLAR’s performance.

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