Solar Carports and Solar Canopies Are Powerful Property Enhancements
Solar carports and solar canopies add power generation capabilities to driveways, parking lots, walkways, patios, and more. Thanks to easy configurability and higher ground clearance possibilities, this type of solar racking can make properties more sustainable, productive, and inviting.
How a Solar Canopy Embodies Sustainable, Dual-Use Solar
Solar canopies and carports are some of the best examples of dual-use solar. They add clean energy production to areas that are already dedicated to other functions without posing any interference. Beyond just being unobtrusive, a solar canopy or carport can enhance residential, commercial, and community properties.
Solar canopies block harsh sunlight, rain, and snow. With a gutter system, they can be used to direct water away from surfaces, preventing flooding and functioning as an asset for rainwater collection systems. They also reduce heat absorption on surfaces and in vehicles.
Apart from shading cars, solar canopies can serve as awnings for entryways and shade structures for footpaths and gathering areas. With extensive configuration options, they can be scaled to fit a range of different areas, from home patios to public parks.
The power harnessed by solar canopies can offset or fully cover energy requirements. They can support electric equipment and amenities, including EV chargers, outdoor lighting, patio heating, etc. They deliver reliable and lasting returns from spaces with otherwise limited useability.
Solar Carport Specifications:
- Parking: east/west or north/south
- Accommodates most PV module sizes
- Coverage for 2-10 vehicles per array
- Engineered for heavy snow and high wind
- PE Stamp available in 50 states
- Tilt Angle from 5° to 30°
- Seasonal tilt adjustment available
- Heavy Duty Tamarack 3.1 Rail system
Parking Orientation
Solar Carport – North/South Parking
Solar Carport – East/West Parking
Why Are Top-of-Pole Mounts Ideal for Solar Carport and Canopy Projects?
As a standard, MT Solar mounts are high ground clearance solar racking. Higher ground clearance ensures safety and versatility across diverse solar applications, but it also makes our mounts ideal for solar carport and solar canopy projects.
Safety and Security – When the array is raised out of reach, it’s kept secure without fences, barriers, or additional safety measures.
Resistance Against Weather Extremes – Even as mounts are raised, snow and wind resistance remains strong. An engineering-driven design process ensures solar carports and canopies will withstand weather extremes.
Adjustability to Increase Output – While many solar carports and canopies keep modules at a fixed angle, our system can be tilted to increase seasonal output and for occasional cleaning and maintenance.
Fast, Safe Installation – A safe, straightforward assembly process means that a solar carport installation can be completed in just days by a small team. Mounts are supported by simple, low-profile foundations, which can be embedded directly into asphalt and concrete. This simplified approach reduces the time a parking lot or driveway needs to be restricted to take a project from start to finish.
How to Turn a Solar Mount into a Solar Carport or Parking Canopy
Unlike standardized and out-of-the-box products from solar carport manufacturers, all of our solar mounts are made to order according to your project and location specifics.
Easy configurability is a major advantage of our system. With a few design considerations, a top-of-pole solar mount can be integrated into areas designed for vehicles of virtually any size.
By accounting for these design parameters, you can start designing a solar carport or parking canopy:
Choose the Ground Clearance: A minimum height of seven feet is required at the front edge of the solar canopy.
Choose the Parking Orientation: East-west parking is suited to residential solar carports or parking canopies for two vehicles. North-south parking can accommodate up to 10 vehicles and is better suited for commercial and community parking lots. Additional mounts can be used to cover larger parking areas.
Tilt Angle Range: Solar carports and parking canopies can be adjusted to improve seasonal output. A winter tilt angle between 5º and 30º is the recommended range for solar canopies and carports.
Scale the Array to Coverage Requirements: Solar carports and canopies work with most PV module sizes. Based on how the array is configured, a carport or canopy can cover two to 10 vehicles per mount.
Choose Pole Spacing: Pole spacing can be varied to accommodate multiple vehicles, with options ranging from 15 feet, 17 feet, 19.75 feet, and 22.5 feet between each pole.
Once your solar canopy design is complete, we can assist you with the permitting documentation process. We will work with a professional engineering firm to get a state-specific PE stamp on your mount design.
Answers to Your Solar Carport and Canopy Questions
What is a solar carport?
A solar carport is a pole mount that’s been configured to cover cars using its solar array. Solar carports can be integrated into residential driveways and commercial and community properties. Solar canopy EV charging capabilities can be added so that the energy generated by the array is stored and available to recharge vehicles. Solar carports also serve as an alternative or supplement to roof racking, especially when maximizing space is a priority.
What is a solar canopy?
A solar canopy provides shade and cover while generating sustainable power. Solar canopies are designed with higher ground clearance to keep the space underneath accessible for parked cars, footpaths, outdoor amenities, and other uses. Solar canopies can be used to create comfortable, shady areas for homes and businesses. They can also be used to cover parking in larger commercial spaces and community areas.
How much does a solar carport cost?
The cost of a solar carport depends on the size of the array, its height, duty classification, and other design features. Larger carports will require a greater investment, but they deliver higher returns through increased energy output. You can get a price on a solar carport by entering your project parameters into the Solar Mount Autodesigner or by contacting and working with our design team.
Start Your Carport Design
Please fill out the design assistance form and our sales engineers will help you meet your project specifications.
Or give us a call to discuss your project: 1-844-687-6527