Photovoltaic carports and parking spaces: The sustainable energy solution for companies and public institutions

Companies and municipal operations are increasingly faced with the challenge of managing their energy needs sustainably and economically. Photovoltaic carports offer an innovative way to achieve this. These are roofs installed in parking lots that are equipped with photovoltaic modules. These systems can be adapted to parking areas of any size and individualized taking into account specific factors such as the orientation and condition of the surface.

🏢🌱 Advantages and benefits for companies and communities

The installation of photovoltaic systems on parking areas enables companies and municipalities to use existing and new parking areas in compliance with applicable laws in order to become energy producers themselves. Solar carports are a profitable investment that helps reduce energy costs in the long term. They not only offer users protection from the weather, but also act as ecological electricity generators.

🚗💡 Legal obligations and framework conditions

The solar energy generated can be consumed directly on site, fed into the public power grid or backed up in battery storage systems. With a well-thought-out investment model, energy costs can be predicted and calculated. In the future, photovoltaic systems will not only save costs, but can also generate additional income, for example through feed-in tariffs.

In some federal states in Germany, there has been a legal obligation to install solar energy production systems when building new parking spaces since January 2022. This affects different minimum numbers of parking spaces depending on the federal state:

• in Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia from 35 parking spaces,
• in Rhineland-Palatinate from 50 and up
• in Schleswig-Holstein, Bremen and Lower Saxony from 100 parking spaces.

Suitable for:

• Solar compulsory & solar carport compulsory in Germany for buildings and open parking spaces of a certain size

🛍️🔌 Integration and technical implementation

These regulations aim to promote the expansion of renewable energies - especially solar energy - and thus promote both climate protection and increase regional energy autonomy.

In addition to the environmental aspect, solar carports also offer economic advantages. Companies can use the electricity generated to cover their own electricity needs and reduce their dependence on external energy sources and their price fluctuations. A combination of the photovoltaic system with charging stations or wall boxes for electric vehicles represents significant added value. It opens up the possibility of supporting electromobility and expands the service for employees, customers and visitors.

🌤️🔋 Energy production and architectural integration

The technical implementation of solar carports usually includes the integration of solar modules into the roof structure of the parking lot roofing. Modern systems are designed to generate maximum amounts of energy while protecting vehicles from the elements. In addition, the appearance of such solar parking spaces is increasingly being incorporated into the overall architectural concept of company premises and public facilities in order to meet aesthetic criteria in addition to functionality.

🌱🏢 Sustainability and brand image

Practical experience shows that solar carport systems have the potential to become a central cornerstone in the energy and transport transition due to their multifunctionality and their energy advantages. Investment in such systems is often supported by government funding programs that can make it easier to get started in the solar industry.

📈☀️ Economic efficiency and environmental awareness

In terms of maintenance and operation, solar carports are relatively undemanding. The lifespan of photovoltaic systems is typically several decades, with maintenance costs being low compared to traditional energy generation systems. The decision to build solar carports is therefore not only a contribution to environmentally friendly commitment, but also a long-term economic decision that can strengthen the image of a company or a community as an innovative and sustainable actor.

Company managers and municipal officials are therefore well advised to seriously consider setting up photovoltaic carports. The move to solar energy is not only a step forward in the field of ecology, but also a viable and lucrative economic measure thanks to current policies and technological advances.

💡🔋 Future orientation and public perception

The use of solar power significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional energy production from fossil fuels. The decentralized approach to power generation can minimize energy losses that occur during transmission over long distances.

In addition, the implementation of photovoltaic carports represents a significant contribution to achieving climate goals. The use of solar power significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional energy production from fossil fuels. The decentralized approach to power generation can minimize energy losses that occur during transmission over long distances.

Another advantage of photovoltaic carports is raising public awareness of renewable energy. Customers and employees experience first-hand how companies actively protect the climate and practice sustainable energy use. This can raise awareness of environmental issues and promote widespread acceptance of renewable energy.

🏗️⚙️ Planning and technical progress

Structural and planning aspects play a crucial role in the construction of photovoltaic carports. The optimal alignment of the photovoltaic modules to the sun, the angle of inclination and the distance between the modules are important factors that influence the efficiency of the system. Due to increasing technological advances, solar modules can be productive even in less optimal conditions such as diffuse light or partial shade.

🔋📊 Increased efficiency through energy storage

The integration of energy storage systems can further increase the efficiency of solar carports. Excess energy generated during sunny periods can be stored and used at later times, such as at night or when the sky is overcast. These storage solutions enable even greater independence from public power grids.

🛡️🚧 Safety and durability

When operating photovoltaic carports, the question of safety is also important. The systems must be just as robust against environmental influences such as storms or snow loads as they are against potential security-related risks such as vandalism or theft. Modern photovoltaic systems and carport constructions are therefore designed and tested with such aspects in mind.

✨🌿 Conclusion and outlook

Photovoltaic carports are a visible sign of willingness to innovate and future-oriented thinking. They show in a practical way how sustainable technology can be integrated into everyday life and at the same time provide an impetus for discussion on topics such as renewable energies, energy efficiency and climate protection.

Photovoltaic carports offer numerous advantages: They provide a constant source of income, reduce operating costs, are beneficial for the environment and strengthen the public reputation of companies and municipalities. Against the background of the energy transition and the constant expansion of electromobility, they are a contemporary solution to sustainably cover the increasing energy needs. Through their implementation, those responsible are sending a clear signal for a future in which renewable energies play a central role.

Solar canopy: Solar covered parking space - Image: Wiederspan.Solar

More about it here:

• Solar covered parking space for your solar carport park customer projects

We can also offer alternative large solar parking systems!

Photovoltaic large parking lot systems - Image: Wiederspan.Solar

👉🏻 Let us advise you 👈🏻
👉🏻 Cars as well as trucks possible! 👈🏻

We would be happy to help you find the optimal solar roofing for you together.

The city solar carport - with increased collision and vandalism protection - Image: Xpert.Digital

The advantages at a glance

• Support & Made in Germany
• Modular & scalable (for 2, 100, 1,000 and more parking spaces)
• Really waterproof
• Integrated water drain / invisible rain gutter
• Vandalism protection, optionally with integrated impact protection
• Variable with all common solar modules
• City design available in aluminum and 3 different colors
• Depending on the amount of self-consumption (degree of self-sufficiency), amortization is possible within 6 years
• Long service life (aluminum substructure)
• 30-year (!) performance guarantee on bifacial and partially transparent double-glass solar modules (25-year product guarantee)
• Reducing urban heat islands
• Building-integrated photovoltaics
• Ideal for transparent and translucent double-glass solar modules with overhead mounting approval!

Solar parking spaces are a promising way to generate renewable energy while optimizing limited space requirements in cities and urban areas. However, there are actually some challenges that can complicate the introduction of such parking spaces.

One of the biggest hurdles is the high cost and planning effort associated with installing solar panels in parking lots. Not only must the cost of the solar panels themselves be taken into account, but also the cost of the infrastructure required to connect the panels to the grid. In addition, the space required for installing the solar modules must be precisely planned and coordinated to ensure effective use of the available space.

Another obstacle are bureaucratic hurdles and approval processes that can make it difficult to install solar panels in parking lots. Depending on the region or country, different rules and regulations may apply, which can complicate the approval and implementation process.

Despite these challenges, there is high demand for solar parking spaces as they represent an effective way to promote renewable energy while optimizing space requirements in urban areas. With careful planning and collaboration between the parties involved, the hurdles can be overcome to facilitate the introduction of such parking spaces.

➡️ We specialize in providing advisory and planning support for such solar carport projects and advancing their implementation.

➡️ With our solar carport planner we simplify the process.

➡️ We are there for you for the next steps and thus minimize costs and effort for you.

Xpert.Solar solar carport planner

More about it here:

• Solar carport planner

☑️ From simple solar carports to large parking spaces

☑️ Your individual photovoltaic parking space advice with Xpert.Solar

Xpert.Solar is your ideal partner for the planning, consulting and construction implementation of ground-mounted photovoltaic systems and agricultural photovoltaic projects due to our many years of experience and expertise in the solar energy industry. Xpert.Solar has an experienced team of professionals that offers tailored solutions to farmers and investors. From location analysis to financial and legal advice to technical implementation and monitoring, Xpert.Solar supports its customers professionally and reliably to ensure successful and sustainable implementation.

Konrad Wolfenstein

I would be happy to serve as your personal advisor.

You can contact me by filling out the contact form below or simply call me on +49 89 89 674 804 (Munich) .

I'm looking forward to our joint project.

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