A solar carport is a covered parking area with a canopy made from solar PV panels. They make efficient use of space because they allow for vehicle parking and solar energy generation on the same parcel. Increasingly, solar canopies are being combined with electric vehicle (EV) chargers to allow EV charging with renewable energy.
Either way, solar power carport owners benefit from low-cost clean energy, while also providing shade and protection for vehicles. Some companies offer DIY solar carport kits that homeowners can assemble and install themselves. The benefit of these residential solar carport systems is that handy homeowners can save money on installation costs.
Solar installation companies looking to expand their operations should consider adding solar carports to their list of photovoltaic (PV) installation services. With solar panel prices staying low and electric vehicle (EV) sales rising, demand for solar panel carports will only increase in the coming years.
Similarly, the average parking lot isn’t terribly productive (even when cars are parked there). Solar carports offer the best of both worlds – allowing users to optimize limited real estate by transforming unproductive parking spots into renewable energy-generation facilities.
Typically, solar carports cost more than a rooftop PV system with the same capacity because of the additional cost of the carport structure. Residential and commercial solar panel carports provide numerous advantages and disadvantages compared to rooftop and traditional ground-mounted PV systems.
Yes, a solar carport can be designed to charge an electric vehicle. A solar carport is a structure with solar panels on the roof, and serves the dual purpose of providing shelter for vehicles while generating electricity from the sun.