What is a solar carport?
A solar carport is a stand-alone steel structure that provides shelter for vehicles while generating clean, renewable energy from the sun. It's designed to cover various styles of car parking spaces and can be customised to blend in with the surrounding environment.
The roof of the carport is slightly tilted, allowing for the seamless mounting of solar panels, which adds to the aesthetics of the structure. This tilted roof design also facilitates natural drainage for rainwater, which is collected and channelled away through guttering. The electricity generated by the solar panels is immediately available for use on-site, which are mounted using our manufactured solar panel frame mounts.
To put it simply, a solar carport is like a typical carport but with the added bonus of solar panels. The solar panels enable the structure to generate electricity, which can be used on-site or for charging electric vehicles.
Solar carports offer numerous benefits, including reducing carbon footprint and lowering electricity costs. These eco-friendly structures not only provide shelter for vehicles but also harness the power of the sun to produce sustainable energy.
While solar carports are commonly used in the commercial sector, they can also be installed in residential areas if there's a carport available with sufficient surface area to receive direct sunlight. This versatility makes them an attractive option for a wide range of applications, from business premises to private homes.
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)?
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based programme that offers support towards the upfront costs of purchasing and installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points. Available across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, it is managed by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The WCS caters to businesses, charities, and public sector organisations that meet the specified eligibility criteria.
Under the WCS, eligible applicants can receive a grant covering up to 75% of the total costs of purchasing and installing EV charge points, including VAT. This grant is capped at a maximum of £350 per socket, with a limitation of installing a maximum of 40 sockets across all sites, and only one socket per site.
To be eligible for the WCS, businesses, charities, and public sector organisations must have dedicated off-street parking for employees, provide proof of legal ownership or permission to install the charge points, and ensure that the installations are carried out by an OZEV-approved installer.
This scheme is instrumental in encouraging the transition to sustainable transportation. By reducing the cost barrier, it enables more organisations to offer EV charging facilities, thereby promoting the adoption of electric vehicles. This not only aligns with environmental goals but also enhances the infrastructure for EV users.
Commercial Solar Carports
Solar carports, innovative structures that offer a multitude of benefits for commercial properties, provide an array of advantages for businesses. One of the key benefits is the ability to generate a new revenue stream by installing them. With solar carports in place, businesses can charge their staff and visitors for the convenience of charging their electric vehicles on-site, offering a sustainable solution while increasing profitability.
Moreover, these commercial solar carports serve as a visible showcase for a company's commitment to green initiatives. This not only enhances corporate reputation but also positions the organization as a responsible and environmentally conscious entity. The sleek and modern design of solar carports transforms the look of the car park, making it more visually appealing and attractive to customers. This aesthetic enhancement can create a positive first impression and potentially boost foot traffic.
Additionally, solar carports offer protection from the elements, ensuring the comfort and safety of staff and visitors during their commute. They also maximize the utilization of space by integrating solar PV panels, allowing for increased on-site energy generation and a return on investment from otherwise unproductive areas. This innovative approach aligns with global sustainability trends and underscores a business's leadership in environmental responsibility.
Furthermore, these solar carports provide the option to add electric vehicle charging points, conveniently allowing staff and visitors to charge their electric vehicles with the electricity generated by the PV system. This integration not only offers convenience but also promotes the adoption of electric vehicles, further supporting the global shift towards greener transportation.
Benefits of Solar Carports
When it comes to solar carports, there are several advantages that make them a worthwhile investment for homeowners.
One of the biggest pros of a solar carport is its customisability. You can tailor its size to fit your specific needs, whether that's accommodating multiple vehicles or creating a larger space for gatherings or outdoor activities.
Additionally, solar carports give you control over the angle, orientation, and size of the solar panels. This flexibility allows you to maximise their efficiency and the amount of sunlight they capture.
Another key benefit is the convenience of electric vehicle (EV) charging. Integrating EV charging stations into the carport design means you can conveniently charge your electric vehicle while protecting it from the elements.
Speaking of protection, solar carports also offer excellent shelter for your vehicles, shielding them from rain, snow, and harsh sunlight. This protection can help prolong the lifespan of your vehicles and reduce the need for frequent repairs and maintenance.
Incentives for solar carport installations are another significant advantage. Many governments and utility companies offer incentives like tax credits, rebates, and grants to encourage the adoption of renewable energy. Installing a solar carport enables you to take advantage of these incentives, reducing the overall project cost.
Lastly, solar carports can lead to substantial savings on energy costs. By generating clean and renewable energy from the sun, you can offset your electricity consumption and reduce your reliance on the grid. This can lead to significant savings on your energy bills over time.
Residential Solar Carports
Consider installing a residential solar carport as a cost-effective and reliable alternative to rooftop solar panels. These innovative structures offer several benefits, making them an attractive option for homeowners.
One major advantage is the potential for reduced energy bills. Solar carports can generate a significant amount of energy for your home, helping to offset or even eliminate your monthly energy costs.
Another key advantage of residential solar carports is their ability to eliminate the risk of rooftop damage. If you have an older roof that will need replacing soon, installing solar panels on it may not be the wisest choice. The process of uninstalling and reinstalling the panels can be costly. Moreover, even if your roof is newer, solar panels can increase the risk of damage to the shingles. Unfortunately, damage to the roof surrounding the panels is often not covered by home warranties or insurance policies. By opting for a solar carport instead, you can avoid these potential financial risks.
Additionally, solar carports provide a practical solution for covered parking. This feature helps protect your vehicles from the elements, reducing the risk of damage from sun, rain, or snow. Plus, it offers a shaded area for outdoor activities, such as hosting gatherings or enjoying outdoor hobbies, enhancing your home's outdoor living space.
How Do Solar Carports Compare to Rooftop Solar Panel Installations?
Solar carports offer distinct advantages when compared to traditional rooftop solar panel installations. A key benefit is the additional space they provide. If your roof doesn't have enough room for the photovoltaic (PV) panels needed to meet your electricity generation goals, a solar carport can be customised to provide the extra space required. It's important to remember that solar panels don't always produce their rated power wattage, meaning you might need more panels than initially anticipated to meet your household's power consumption needs. A solar carport allows for the flexibility in adding the necessary number of panels.
Another significant advantage of solar carports is their potential for optimal solar power generation. Unlike the roof of your home, which may not be optimised for solar power, a newly built carport can be specifically designed with maximum electricity generation in mind. This means that the angle and orientation of the solar panels can be optimised for maximum sunlight exposure, resulting in increased energy production.
Understanding the Functionality of Solar Carports
To comprehend how solar carports operate, it's essential to grasp the process of harnessing power from the sun and converting it into usable energy for your home. Solar carports achieve this by integrating solar panels into the roof structure. These panels are comprised of photovoltaic (PV) cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. Depending on the number of panels used, the energy generated can either power your entire home or supplement your existing electricity needs.
The conversion of sunlight into electricity is facilitated by solar inverters. These crucial devices transform the direct current (DC) electricity produced by the PV cells into alternating current (AC) electricity, the form most commonly used in households. Once converted, this electricity can be utilised to power a variety of appliances and devices within your home.
But what happens when the sun isn't shining? To ensure a continuous energy supply, your solar carport can be connected to a portable power station. This setup allows for the storage of excess energy generated during sunny periods for use at night or during times of low sunlight.
This integration of energy storage solutions addresses one of the key challenges of solar power – its dependency on sunlight – ensuring that your home remains powered even during periods without direct solar exposure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, solar carports present a practical and environmentally friendly solution for both commercial and residential spaces. By harnessing the power of solar energy to power electric vehicles, they provide more than just shade and protection for cars. Solar carports play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions and saving on energy costs, contributing positively to environmental sustainability.
Compared to rooftop solar panel installations, solar carports have the added advantage of utilising otherwise unused space in parking lots. Supported by initiatives like the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), solar carports represent a smart investment towards a sustainable future.