The parking space requirement, the solar obligation, parking space types and the solar carport strategy for open parking spaces

Parking has long ceased to be a simple task. Just thinking about underground parking garages or the large parking lots of some shopping centers is enough to make many people break out in a cold sweat.

Each of us has performed some acrobatic feats getting in and out of a car in the past, and subconsciously we all tend to choose a parking space with at least one free space next to it. That doesn't always work out. Parking doesn't exactly fit with the glossy advertising of fantastic shopping experiences and a great shopping atmosphere.

Parking spaces are typically between 2.0 m and 3.5 m wide (disabled parking spaces). The required length ranges from 5 m to 6.7 m.

In some German states, in addition to the parking space requirement, there is now also a solar panel requirement, including for open parking spaces. For perpendicular parking (row parking), a distance of 2.3 meters is standard.

Over the last 40 years, however, vehicles have become increasingly wider. Some cars reach a width of up to 1.94 meters (BMW X5). The Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Ford Galaxy and S-Max models, including side mirrors, even measure 2.15 meters wide!

According to the ADAC (German Automobile Club), 70% of newly registered cars are wider than 2.0 meters. The ADAC has been calling for a minimum parking space width of 2.5 meters for years.

Taken together with photovoltaics, a new parking strategy is therefore needed if the new parking spaces are not to become a fiasco and, for example, customers stay away in the commercial sector due to the lack of parking spaces.

The parking area is already cramped, and a roof covered with solar panels will only exacerbate the problem. Some solar carport models even further reduce the already limited parking space.

Therefore, choosing the right solar carport system is important!

Solar carports: sensitive entry zones – Image: Xpert.Digital

There are various substructures and solar carport models that are more or less suitable for larger to very large parking areas.

Roof supports for the substructure of the solar modules, which are located in the red zone, not only narrow the parking space (again, when the individual parking space has been increased from 2.3 m to 2.5 m), they also make getting in and out of the vehicle extremely difficult.

Solar panel roof racks located in the green zone have no impact on the parking situation.

Photovoltaic roof racks located in the yellow area make parking and unparking difficult.

Related to this:

• Solar carport systems: Which is the better and/or more cost-effective option?

When considering the price of the solar carport substructure, also take into account the installation effort and working time!

Some solar carport systems require elaborate foundations. Some of these, in turn, are not ideal in terms of the entry and exit options for vehicle occupants.

Currently, the only option for parking spaces with angled installation is the 4+2+ solar carport column technology.

Related to this:

• Solar carports where standard no longer applies – The optimal solution for every challenge with solar roofing for open parking spaces

It is also important to consider the effort required to dig up and prepare already sealed surfaces for the selected solar carport system. Redesigning the roadway will incur further costs.

In some cases, a comprehensive foundation is not possible due to underground utilities or other soil conditions. This already rules out some solar carport systems.

Therefore, it is also important for solar installers and construction companies to know which system they can work with most easily and simply.

Related to this:

• Foundation planning: Cost factor of ground foundations for solar carports

Three types of parking spaces (also called vehicle placement or parking space placement) are distinguished here:

Parking space types – Vehicle positioning – Parking lot layout – Image: Xpert.Digital

1. Perpendicular parking:
   Perpendicular parking (also called perpendicular parking) has a parking angle of 90°. Here, the vehicle can enter either forwards or backwards. This type of parking is more commonly found on side streets and in parking lots. Section 12, paragraph 4 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) must be observed; that is, the corresponding markings or signage must be present for this type of parking to be permitted.
2. Angled Parking:
   An angled parking position between 45° and approximately 81° is referred to as angled parking. The vehicle can drive forwards into the parking space but must reverse out. This configuration is often used in parking lots because it allows for narrower lanes than perpendicular parking and better space utilization than parallel parking. It is only permitted with appropriate markings, as otherwise it would violate Section 12 Paragraph 4 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO).
3. Parallel parking:
   In parallel parking (according to § 12 of the German Road Traffic Regulations), vehicles are parked parallel to the roadway. Vehicles access the parking space directly from the roadway and can park in reverse or, if sufficient space is available, forwards, and exit forwards or backwards. This type of vehicle parking is the most common on roads and is generally exempt from the solar panel requirement.

In Germany, the legal basis is the Recommendations for Parking Facilities (EAR). This is a valid set of technical regulations for the planning and construction of parking facilities, including parking areas, parking structures, and parking guidance systems. It is published by the German Road and Transportation Research Association (FGSV).

The following information may vary depending on the federal state:

Parking space spacing for open parking spaces

Parking space spacing – Image: Xpert.Digital

Required lane width for parking spaces

Required lane width for parking spaces – Image: Xpert.Digital

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In Germany and Austria, when developing a property, a certain minimum number of parking spaces must generally be provided on the property or in its immediate vicinity, depending on the planned use. These parking spaces are referred to as required parking spaces. The number of required parking spaces is determined by the building codes of the federal states or by the parking space regulations or bylaws of the municipalities.

Parking regulations in Germany stipulate how many parking spaces for motor vehicles and bicycles must be provided on or near a newly constructed building site. The number of required parking spaces depends on the building's use and the number of occupants (e.g., the number of parking spaces for residential buildings is determined by the number of residential units). These regulations are partly based on technical and statistical data, such as the rate of car ownership.

In Germany, these requirements are generally regulated by the building codes of the individual federal states. As a rule, for buildings that are expected to generate traffic, the necessary parking spaces for cars and bicycles must be provided on the building plot or on a nearby plot. The extent of the parking requirement is determined by the building authority.

In some German states (e.g., Brandenburg), the state building codes have been amended in recent years so that there is no longer a uniform, statewide parking space requirement. Instead, municipalities can enact parking space regulations.

In the state of Berlin, according to § 49 of the building code, there is a parking space requirement only for disabled parking spaces in publicly accessible buildings and parking facilities for bicycles.

Hamburg abolished the requirement to provide parking spaces for residential buildings in 2013. Since 2015, Baden-Württemberg's state building code has allowed for the reduction of one-quarter of car parking spaces by providing more bicycle parking – four bicycle parking spaces replace one car parking space.

The regulations for the construction and operation of garages and parking spaces are set out in the garage regulations (GarVO, GaVO or GaStellV) or special building regulations of the federal states:

• Minimum width and minimum curve radius of entrances and exits
• Minimum length and width of parking spaces
• Minimum width of tramlines
• Minimum proportion of women's parking spaces
• Minimum height

Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia do not have their own garage regulations. In Berlin, the existing regulations were superseded in 2004 by the Ordinance on the Inspection of Technical Systems and Equipment (Systems Inspection Ordinance – AnlPrüfVO). In North Rhine-Westphalia, the contents of the garage regulations were integrated into the Ordinance on the Construction and Operation of Special Buildings in 2009. Most German states have adopted or refer to the model garage regulations of ARGEBAU (Working Group of Ministers Responsible for Construction).

However, the standard set of rules for public parking spaces is RASt 06 (Guidelines for the design of urban roads).

Modern cars are getting wider and wider. However, car owners are often unaware of this, as the actual width is not stated in the vehicle registration document. Problems with infrastructure (construction sites, parking garages) are therefore inevitable.

For this reason, the ADAC has compiled a selection list of 120 affected cars as a small guide for motorists.

Selection of cars wider than two meters – Image: ADAC

Cars are getting wider and wider – but the infrastructure isn't keeping pace. This problem is particularly evident in motorway construction zones. Often, even the left lane is closed to vehicles wider than two meters. The problem: many small cars now exceed this width. However, car owners are often unaware of this, as the actual width isn't listed in the vehicle registration document.

For this reason, the ADAC (German Automobile Club) has compiled a list of 120 affected cars as a guide for drivers. This list, which is only a selection, is based on measurements of the actual widths, including side mirrors. Even seemingly narrow cars like the Ford Focus, the Honda Civic, and the Peugeot 308 are among those with excessive widths.

Anyone who owns a car wider than two meters will encounter problems in many parking garages. Damage when getting in and out is practically inevitable. That's why the club is calling for a parking space width of 2.50 meters. The latest ADAC parking garage test has reiterated this demand.

Source: ADAC press release

Related to this:

For years, around 70 percent of newly registered passenger cars, including their side mirrors, have been wider than two meters. Therefore, such lane narrowing in construction zones is no longer appropriate. According to the ADAC (German Automobile Club), wider temporary lanes that allow for an actual vehicle width of up to 2.1 meters are necessary.

Highway construction sites: wide cars – narrow lanes – Image: ADAC

Even compact cars (like a VW Golf) are often too wide for the narrow lanes of construction sites. As a result, only small cars and motorcycles are allowed to drive in the left lane of many construction sites. To find out how wide your vehicle is, simply checking the vehicle registration documents isn't enough. They only list the width without the side mirrors. Drivers should find out the actual width of their vehicle and measure it if necessary

The second most frequent cause of accidents in construction zones is collisions between vehicles driving side-by-side. To minimize this risk, the ADAC (German Automobile Club) advises drivers to use staggered lanes in construction zones and avoid unnecessary overtaking maneuvers. However, staggered lane driving is only advisable if a sufficient number of vehicles are permitted to use the left lane.

Traffic jams at construction sites can be avoided by maintaining the same number of lanes within the construction zone. If a lane closes, drivers must merge using the zipper method. This means driving as close as possible to the closure before merging. Failure to use the zipper method can result in a €20 fine. Furthermore, drivers should be especially attentive in construction zones and maintain a safe following distance.

Source: ADAC press release

More information here:

• Consulting on solar carport & foundation planning: Cost factor of the ground foundation for solar carports

Guidelines – Concepts – Strategies – Things to Know

Part I – The parking space requirement, the solar obligation, parking space types and the solar carport strategy for open parking spaces

➡️ Focus on entry and exit zones

Part II – Photovoltaic Parking Lot: “Smart Solar Park Concept” for Parking, Getting In and Out

➡️ Focus on parking and maneuvering situations

Part III - Guide and tips for solar carports from small to large systems – for municipalities, industry, installers and private households

➡️ Focus: Ideal materials for substructures