Solar Panel Carports: Innovative Way to | Maximize Your Solar Energy Production

8 min readApr 13, 2023

As the world strives to reduce carbon emissions, a rise in demand for renewable energy sources can be seen. Particularly, solar energy has garnered a lot of interest because of its ability to produce sustainable and clean energy. The idea of solar panel carports has just come to light as a creative solution that not only provides shade for vehicles but also generates electricity. We will delve into the nuances of solar panel carports in this article, including their installation procedure, price, and advantages.

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Important Points To Remember:

A solar panel carport is a structure that provides shelter to vehicles from pollen, bleak weather, and overexposure to sunlight.
It often costs about $2.81 per watt for rooftop solar installation.
Businesses have the capability to buy multiple solar carports. Due to this sole reason, the commercial solar carport price tends to range around $ 3.45 per watt.
Solar panel carports can now be up to 30% more effective, increasing their affordability and sustainability.
Energy storage devices make it possible to store extra solar energy for later use, giving you a source of power even when the sun isn’t shining as much.

What is in this article?

What is a Solar Panel Carport?

A solar panel carport is a structure that provides shelter to vehicles from pollen, bleak weather, and overexposure to sunlight. The placement of solar PV modules take place over the carport structure’s roof. The electricity produced either gets used right away or is stored in batteries for later use. Solar carports can be made to fit any parking lots or vehicle size. These carports are often built from sturdy materials like steel, aluminum, or timber. Additionally, you can also find solar carport designs which may include Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations.

How Much is the Cost of a Solar Panel Carport?

The cost of solar panel carports varies according to a variety of variables, such as the size of the building, the type and quantity of solar panels, and the electrical system needs. The price of solar carports may also vary depending on the place of their installation. Owing to the fact that certain places might need more permissions or inspections.

A solar panel carport can value anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000 per kilowatt (kW) of power output. Installation of a typical residential solar carport with a 5 kW power capacity can cost anywhere between $15,000 and $50,000. The cost for a commercial solar carport installation with a 100 kW power capacity can be between $300,000 and $1,000,000.

1. Residential Solar Carport Cost:

It often costs about $2.81 per watt for rooftop solar installation. Nevertheless, due to certain rooftop restrictions, you cannot put to use a residential solar system installation. Consequently, you will have to pay at least $4 per watt to install a solar carport.

2. Commercial Solar Carport Cost:

Businesses have the capability to buy multiple solar carports. Due to this sole reason, the commercial solar carport price tends to range around $ 3.45 per watt. Many businesses are prone to utilize solar panel carports for the various type of parking lots. This will eventually save them money on their skyrocketing electricity bill.

Solar panel carports can provide significant long-term cost savings by lowering energy bills and generating a passive income, despite the upfront expense. Additionally, solar carports are becoming a more widely available and affordable option because of the declining cost and the availability of government subsidies.

How does the Solar Panel Carports work?

Just like solar PV modules, solar carports also work by absorbing sunlight and converting it into electrical energy. The only difference is that solar panels alignment in carports usually takes place at the top. Solar system carport conventionally comes with a racking module. With the help of this module, the replacement of the solar arrays is quite unexacting. Additionally, all the panels within the module are wired together which is ultimately connected to the combiner box. This box routes power through an inverter.

How Does the Installation of Solar Panel Carports take Place?

The installation of a solar panel carport typically involves a thorough evaluation of the site. This includes an assessment of the available space, the orientation of the structure, and the amount of sunlight exposure. Afterward designing the system, obtaining permits, installing the carport structure and solar panels, wiring of the system, and connecting panels to the grid take place. The requirement of an expert carport installer for this process is a must. An expert company like Solar SME will ensure that all steps of solar panel carports installation take place safely.

What Are the Pros of Solar Panel Carports?

1. Multi-Purpose:

Solar carports can help in charging your electric vehicles. Instead of plugging your EVs into the power socket of your home, you can utilize the power from solar panel carports. It will not only reduce your carbon footprint but also save you hundreds of thousands of dollars in terms of electricity bills.

On top of that, instead of just parking cars, carports are also used as canopies. They can provide shadows in case of inclement weather conditions. These solar carports are also perfect for hosting summer events.

2. Return on Investment:

The solar carport installation payback period ranges from five to fifteen years. Federal incentives like solar investment tax credits as well as state and local rebates will help offset the initial installation cost.

3. Vandalism Protection:

With the help of extra security add-ons on your solar carports, you will be able to monitor or protect your vehicles. Consecutively, you can also utilize the solar carports to power your security system.

4. Increase in Property Value:

According to Zillow estimations, by installing solar panels on your property, the home value increases up to 4.1% in the U.S. market. The house with solar panel also sells faster. So, to say the least, solar carports are not only beneficial for the environment but also can be favorable for your capital investment.

5. Adjustable:

Solar carport’s prime feature is that these panels do not take up a lot of space due to their thin design technology. Therefore, you will be able to utilize any given space for the solar carports structure building.

6. Urban Cooling Effect:

By providing shade for vehicles, solar panel carports can help in reducing the heat absorption by the pavements and buildings in urban areas. This will lower the temperature and improve the overall comfort of the urban environment.

7. Appealing Aesthetic:

Solar panel carports can offer some aesthetic appeal in addition to financial and environmental advantages. However, alterations in the design of the solar panel carport are possible. This will help blend these panels with the surrounding architecture. Solar carports can give any structure or parking lot a contemporary cutting-edge feel.

What are the Cons of Solar Panel Carports?

1. New Structure Building:

Although solar panels carports are valuable in the long shot, however, the initial installation cost may be a little pricey. Even if you own an existing carport, the roof pitch will not likely be able to support the solar PV modules. For this, the angle of these panels needs to be positioned in a certain way in order to maximize the solar energy production from the solar carports.

2. Installation Cost:

The initial installation cost of solar panel carports can vary from $18,000 to $25,000. However, a non-solar carport can be quite cost-effective. The price of these carports can range from about $4,000 to $10,000. Depending on the price of electricity in your locality, you will be able to compensate your solar carports in a minimum of five years.

3. Requirement of Space:

For solar carports, you also need to factor in the amount of outdoor available space. On average, a house requires about 400 to 700 square feet of space for a PV system installation that can generate enough electrical power to run the entire home. However, a smaller carport is sufficient for those homeowners who just want to reduce their electricity bill without utterly diminishing it.

4. Maintenance Cost:

The solar panel carports will require annual servicing. An annual inspection can cost you about $150. Moreover, you also need to clean your PV modules regularly to ensure that they are operating at maximum capacity.

How to Choose Suitable Carports For Your Home?

In order to find the perfect solar panel carport for your home, you have to take the following things into consideration:

1. Net Metering:

If you are planning to sell electricity to the utility, you need to ensure that your solar panels meet the requirements of utility stations.

2. Energy Efficiency:

The greater the watts per square foot of your solar carports structure, the better will be efficiency. Therefore, you need to install solar panels that can offset your household electrical needs completely.

3. Quality of Panels:

Make sure to invest in solar panels that are exceptionally good in quality. Even though, it can be a bit costly to install these panels at first. But in the end, the result of these high-caliber solar PV modules is worth every penny. They are not only long-lasting but also the maintenance cost of such arrays is quite low.

4. Custom Vs Ready-Made Solar Carports:

Ready-made solar carports are suitable for commercial applications. While for residential homeowners’ custom solar carports are a much better option. These carports will allow homeowners the flexibility to design and choose the quality of solar panels according to their household requirements.

What is the New Technology in the Field of Solar Panel Carports?

Adoption of Biracial Solar Panels:

Solar technology advancements have created new opportunities for solar carports. The adoption of bifacial solar panels which are intended to capture sunlight from both sides of the panel is one such breakthrough. Solar panel carports can now be up to 30% more effective, increasing their affordability and sustainability.

Energy Storage Devices:

The use of energy storage technologies in solar panel carports is another development in solar technology. Energy storage devices make it possible to store extra solar energy for later use, giving you a dependable source of power even when the sun isn’t shining as much. With the help of this technology, households and businesses can further cut their energy costs and strengthen their energy independence.

Inculcation of Smart Technology:

The use of smart technology can help optimize the performance of solar panel carports. Smart technology can monitor and control the energy usage of the carport, ensuring that energy is used efficiently and effectively. This technology can also provide real-time data on energy production and usage, allowing for more informed decision-making and better energy management.

Conclusion:

Solar panel carports offer a sustainable and innovative solution for meeting energy needs while reducing carbon footprints. The installation process involves a thorough evaluation of the site, and the cost varies depending on various factors. Despite the initial cost, solar carports offer numerous advantages including environmental and financial benefits, energy independence, and aesthetic value. The latest advancements in solar technology have opened up new possibilities for solar panel carports including the use of bifacial solar panels, energy storage systems, and smart technology.

The use of renewable energy sources like solar carports will become more crucial as the world struggles to address global warming. Solar carports provide a reliable and effective source of electricity by utilizing the sun’s energy, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of solar power or carports to be precise, feel free to contact Solar SME. Our expert team will gladly assist you in your solar power journey.

https://solarsme.com/solar-panel-carport/