The solar power world is growing fast. People are finding new ways to use the sun’s energy beyond just putting solar panels on their roofs. Two options gaining popularity are solar carports and solar canopies. These structures offer great alternatives to roof solar panels because they use parking lots, patios, and other open spaces that might otherwise go unused. In fact, research shows that solar carports can generate significant energy while providing additional benefits like electric vehicle charging and reduced carbon emissions. Let’s explore everything you need to know about solar carports and canopies – what they are, why they’re useful, how to install them, and why so many people are choosing them.
Quick Summary
- Solar carports and canopies are structures with solar panels that give you covered parking or patio space while creating clean energy.
- They’re perfect for properties that can’t have roof solar panels because they use open spaces instead.
- Besides making solar power, they provide shade and protection from bad weather.
- While they cost more at first, they’re worth it because they do two jobs: making energy and providing cover.
What are Solar Carports and Solar Canopies?
A solar carport is basically a covered parking spot that has solar panels on top instead of regular roofing material. Unlike a normal carport that just gives shade to your car, a solar carport makes electricity by collecting sunlight through its solar panels.
Solar canopies are similar but can cover bigger areas like entire parking lots, patios, swimming pools, or other open spaces. They provide shade while making electricity at the same time. For businesses, solar canopies can create covered walkways between buildings while generating solar power. At homes, a solar canopy lets you build an outdoor living space or backyard patio with solar panels providing shade overhead.
The solar panels on these structures catch sunlight during the day and turn it into electricity. This power can then run your home, charge electric cars, or even be sent back to the power company for credit on your bill.
Key Components of Solar Carports and Canopies
These structures have several important components:
| Component | What It Does |
| Support Structure | Holds the solar panels and gives shelter to cars or patios. |
| Solar Panels | Catch sunlight and turn it into electricity. |
| Inverters | Convert the power from the panels into energy your house uses. |
| Wiring | Carries the electricity to where it’s needed. |
| Extras | Options like LED lights, EV charging, and rainwater systems. |
How Do Solar Carports and Solar Canopies Work?
Solar carports and canopies work by putting solar panels into the roof of a carport structure. The panels catch sunlight and turn it into electricity. The panels are placed to get as much sun as possible, making what’s called direct current (DC) electricity. This DC power then goes to an inverter, which changes it into alternating current (AC) electricity – the kind your house uses.
After this conversion, you can use this electricity to power buildings nearby, charge electric vehicles, or send it back to the power company. Many power companies will give you credit for the extra power you send back, which is called “net metering.”
One of the best things about solar carports and canopies is that they do two jobs at once: they keep your car in the shade and make clean energy. This makes good use of space by turning parking areas into power stations without needing extra land.
While the basic idea is the same as roof solar panels, setting up a carport system works a bit differently. You usually need to build a strong foundation in the ground to hold up the carport and its solar panels. But carports often need less complicated mounting equipment than roof installations.
The size of the system and number of solar panels can vary greatly depending on how much space you have, how much power you want to generate, your budget, and other features of your property. Most solar installers can look at your property and recommend what kind of solar carport or canopy would work best for your needs.
Benefits of Solar Carports and Canopies
Besides generating clean solar energy, carports and canopies have several advantages over regular roof solar panels:
- Two Uses in One: Solar carports and canopies give you parking space or patio cover while making clean energy at the same time.
- Shade and Weather Protection: The structure provides shade and cover from rain, snow, and other weather for your cars or patio areas.
- Better Positioning: Ground and carport-mounted solar panels can be positioned at the best angles to catch the most sunlight. Rooftop systems are limited by the fixed angle and direction of your roof.
- No Roof Holes: Solar carports avoid having to drill holes through the roof of your home for mounting and wiring solar panels.
- Works for More Properties: Homes with small, shaded, or complicated roofs can still use solar through a separate carport or canopy structure.
- Added Value: Even though they cost more at first, you get both an energy maker and a shelter.
How to Install a Solar Carport or Canopy
1. Site Check
The first step in installing a solar carport or canopy is checking your site. This means looking at the available space, how much sunlight it gets throughout the day, and your property’s electrical system. Consider scheduling a home energy audit to understand your overall energy needs.
2. Design and Planning
After checking the site, engineers design the structure. They think about how big it should be, how to build it, and how many solar panels you need to make enough power for your needs. They’ll create detailed plans showing exactly how everything will fit together.
3. Getting Permits
Before building starts, you need to get permits from your local government. This means showing them your plans and getting their approval to build. Your solar installer usually handles this paperwork for you, making the process easier.
4. Construction
This is when the actual building happens – putting up the carport or canopy, installing the solar panels, and connecting everything to your electrical system. Professional installers do this work to make sure it’s done right and safely. The process typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the size and complexity of your system.
How Much Does It Cost?
The total cost of a solar carport or canopy depends on several things:
- System Size: Larger systems with more panels cost more but make more electricity.
- Type of Solar Panels: Better quality panels cost more but might produce more power.
- Materials: The quality of materials used for the structure affects the cost.
- Installation: Labor costs vary in different areas.
- Incentives: Government programs, rebates, and tax breaks can lower the total cost.
While it costs a lot at first, many people find that solar carports are worth the money because they save on energy bills and might qualify for tax breaks that reduce the overall cost.
Cost Comparison Between Solar Carport and Basic Rooftop Installation
| Type of Installation | Cost per Watt | Total Cost for 5kW System |
| Solar Carports and Canopies | $3.50-$5.50 | $17,500-$27,500 |
| Rooftop Installations | $2.50-$3.50 | $12,500-$17,500 |
As you can see from the table, solar carports and canopies cost more than putting solar panels on your roof. However, they offer extra benefits that many people find worth the additional cost.
How Much Power Does a Solar Carport Produce?
How much power your solar carport makes depends on several things, including:
- How big it is
- How well the solar panels work
- Where you live
- How much sun you get
A typical solar panel makes between 250 and 400 watts of power. So if your carport has 20 panels, it could make between 5,000 and 8,000 watts (5 to 8 kilowatts) when conditions are perfect.
Where you live makes a big difference in power production. Places with lots of sun, like Arizona or California, will produce more power than places with less sun, like Oregon or Washington. On average, a 5-kilowatt solar carport can make about 6,000 to 8,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, depending on your local sun levels.
The way the panels are angled and which way they face also affects how much power they make. Panels that face the right way to catch the most sun will work better. The seasons also matter – you’ll make more power in summer when days are longer than in winter when days are shorter.
Storage Solutions for Your Solar Power
To maximize the benefits of your solar carport, consider adding home battery storage to your system. Batteries allow you to store excess energy produced during sunny periods for use when the sun isn’t shining. This can significantly increase your energy independence and provide backup power during outages.
Wrapping Up
Solar carports and canopies are an exciting way to make clean energy while using parking spaces that already exist. As solar technology gets cheaper and better, more people are choosing to build solar carports and canopies. For many homes and businesses, they are a great choice instead of roof solar panels because they use empty space and add useful shade and cover.
Even though carports and canopies cost more upfront than basic roof solar, having two uses (power and shelter), better sun exposure, and possible government incentives can make them a smart investment for the future.
Many solar companies now offer special solar carport and canopy services because so many people want them. These structures let properties that cannot use roof solar still get the benefits of solar power, electric car charging, and savings on energy bills.
If you’re thinking about going solar but don’t have a suitable roof, or if you’d like to add covered parking or patio space to your property, a solar carport or canopy might be the perfect solution for your needs.