Carports Turn into Solar Power Banks ! Green Infrastructure is Upgrading…

In recent years, PV carports—structures that can both provide shade and shelter from rain and generate electricity—have quietly grown in popularity. From factory parks and shopping mall communities to industry giants like Tesla and JD.com, all are laying out plans for them. PV carports not only meet the basic need of vehicle parking but also convert idle space into green energy production sites. So, what exactly is a PV carport? What are its core advantages? And in which scenarios is it suitable for application? This article will answer these questions one by one for you.

1. What is a PV Carport?

Simply put, a PV carport is a cross-border combination of a “carport + solar panels”. Traditional carports have a relatively single function: mainly providing a place for vehicles to shelter from the sun and rain, and protecting vehicles from exposure to sunlight and rain. The PV carport, however, has been upgraded on this basis. By installing PV modules on the carport roof, it is endowed with the ability to generate electricity.

The efficient operation of this system relies on four core components, which work together to form a complete energy conversion and transmission system.

1. PV Modules

As the core component of PV power generation, PV modules usually use monocrystalline silicon or polycrystalline silicon solar panels.

– Monocrystalline silicon solar panels are made from high-purity monocrystalline silicon, with a photoelectric conversion efficiency of over 23%, featuring high conversion efficiency and strong stability.

– Polycrystalline silicon solar panels are composed of multiple silicon crystals, with relatively lower costs and a conversion efficiency of approximately 18%-20%.

Through the photoelectric effect of semiconductors, these solar panels convert the photon energy in sunlight into direct current (DC), serving as the source of energy acquisition for the entire system.

2. Support Structure

The support structure not only undertakes the important task of supporting the PV panels but also is the key to ensuring the overall stability of the carport. Common support materials are aluminum alloy and galvanized steel:

– Aluminum alloy supports are lightweight and corrosion-resistant, suitable for scenarios with high requirements for aesthetics and anti-corrosion.

– Galvanized steel supports, with high strength and good weather resistance, are widely used in large-scale industrial projects.

The design of the supports must undergo strict mechanical calculations to ensure that the PV panels can operate safely and stably under extreme weather conditions such as strong winds, heavy rains, and heavy snowfall.

3. Inverter

The function of the inverter is to convert the DC power generated by the PV modules into alternating current (AC) that meets the needs of electrical equipment or the standards for grid connection. According to different application scenarios, inverters can be divided into string inverters, central inverters, and micro-inverters:

– String inverters are suitable for distributed PV systems, with the advantages of flexible configuration and no impact on the overall operation if part of the system fails.

– Central inverters are often used in large-scale ground-based power stations, featuring large power output and low costs.

The conversion efficiency of the inverter directly affects the power generation efficiency of the system; high-efficiency inverters can achieve a conversion efficiency of over 98%.

4. Power Distribution System

The power distribution system is responsible for safely and stably transmitting the electrical energy generated by the PV modules to electrical equipment or the power grid. This system mainly includes equipment such as cables, combiner boxes, and distribution boxes:

– Cables, as the carriers of electrical energy transmission, require the selection of appropriate specifications and materials based on the system power and transmission distance.

– Combiner boxes are used to collect the DC power from multiple PV modules, reducing the amount of cables used.

– Distribution boxes distribute, protect, and measure electrical energy, ensuring the safety and reliability of power supply.

1. Core Advantages of PV Carports

1. Power Generation: Turning Sunlight into Electricity Savings

One of the most prominent advantages of PV carports is their power generation function, which can convert the continuous solar energy into tangible economic benefits. For example, in some large parking lots, a large amount of electrical energy is consumed for nighttime lighting. The electricity generated by PV carports can be directly used to meet this demand, reducing the amount of electricity purchased from the power grid.

2. Cost Savings: Shade + Cooling = Extended Vehicle Lifespan

The sun-shading function of PV carports not only provides a comfortable parking environment for vehicles but also helps car owners save vehicle maintenance costs. Due to the shelter of the PV panels, the temperature under the carport is 5-10°C lower than that under ordinary carports. This effectively reduces problems such as interior aging and paint fading of vehicles caused by long-term exposure to the sun. For electric vehicles, when parked under a PV carport, they can also be connected to the charging piles equipped with the carport and charged with clean green electricity, further reducing the cost of using the vehicle.

3. Environmental Protection: The Carbon Reduction Magic of a Single Panel

From an environmental perspective, PV carports have a significant carbon reduction effect. Taking a 1MW PV carport as an example, its annual power generation is approximately 1.2 million kWh. Compared with traditional thermal power, it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 1,000 tons, which is equivalent to the carbon sequestration capacity of planting 50,000 trees. With the global advancement of carbon neutrality goals, the large-scale application of PV carports will play an important role in reducing carbon emissions and improving the ecological environment.

III. Which Places Are Most Suitable for Building PV Carports?

1. Industrial Parks

Factories and logistics parks usually have large-scale parking lots, with a large number of parked vehicles and a large occupied area. Installing PV carports can not only meet the enterprise’s own electricity demand and reduce operating costs but also conform to the enterprise’s concept of green development and enhance its social image. For instance, a large automobile manufacturing enterprise installed a 5MW PV carport in its factory parking lot, with an annual power generation of up to 6 million kWh. This meets part of the factory’s production electricity demand and saves more than 3 million yuan in electricity expenses annually.

2. Commercial Complexes

Parking lots of commercial complexes such as shopping malls and supermarkets have a large traffic flow. Installing PV carports can not only achieve power generation benefits but also provide a comfortable parking environment for customers, improving the enterprise’s service quality and brand image. In addition, the electricity generated by PV carports can be used for equipment such as internal lighting and air conditioners in shopping malls, reducing commercial operating costs. A well-known supermarket chain has promoted PV carport projects in the parking lots of many of its stores across the country, not only achieving the goal of energy conservation and emission reduction but also gaining good economic and social benefits.

3. Public Transportation Facilities

Parking lots of public transportation facilities such as airports, high-speed rail stations, and bus hubs have large areas and high electricity demand, making them very suitable for large-scale construction of PV carports. The electricity generated by PV carports in these places can be used to meet the electricity demand of equipment such as internal lighting, ventilation, and automatic ticket machines, reducing reliance on the traditional power grid. For example, an international airport installed a 10MW PV carport on the top of its parking building, with an annual power generation of 12 million kWh, providing substantial green power support for the airport’s operation.

4. Residential Communities

With the popularization of new energy vehicles, residents’ demand for charging piles is increasing day by day. Some newly built residential communities or villa areas have begun to try building PV carports, combining PV power generation with charging piles to provide green and convenient charging services for owners. At the same time, the electricity generated by PV carports can also be used for community public facilities such as public lighting and elevators, reducing the community’s public electricity costs and realizing the efficient use of resources.

1. Tips to Avoid Pitfalls When Building PV Carports

1. High Initial Investment

Although the price of PV modules has continued to decline in recent years, the construction of PV carports still requires a large amount of capital investment, including costs for the purchase of PV modules, installation of supports, and construction of inverters and power distribution systems. Taking a 1,000-square-meter PV carport as an example, its construction cost is approximately 500,000 to 800,000 yuan. The high initial investment leads to a long investment return period for the project, usually 5-8 years, which is a great test for the investor’s capital strength and investment patience.

2. Geographical Restrictions

Lighting conditions are an important factor affecting the power generation efficiency of PV carports. In areas where the annual sunshine duration is less than 1,200 hours, the power generation benefits of PV carports may not meet expectations, and investment needs to be cautious. In the northwest region with a high annual sunshine duration, the power generation efficiency of PV carports is significant; while in the southern rainy regions with a low annual sunshine duration, the power generation capacity will be affected to a certain extent. Therefore, before building a PV carport, a detailed assessment of the local lighting resources is required, and a suitable construction site should be selected to ensure the economic benefits of the project.

3. Grid Connection and Approval

If the electricity generated by PV carports needs to be connected to the power grid, it is necessary to communicate with the local power grid company in advance to understand the grid connection policies and technical requirements. There are differences in grid connection standards and approval procedures in different regions, and some regions may have cumbersome approval procedures and complex processes, which will affect the construction progress and investment return period of the project. In addition, attention should also be paid to the local electricity price subsidy policies, and the project operation mode should be reasonably planned to improve the profitability of the project.

1. Future Outlook

With the continuous advancement of technology and the continuous support of policies, PV carports will develop in the direction of higher efficiency, greater intelligence, and better aesthetics.

1. Higher Efficiency

The research, development, and application of new PV materials such as TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) cells and HJT (Heterojunction) cells will greatly improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of PV modules. The conversion efficiency of TOPCon cells has exceeded 26%, and the laboratory conversion efficiency of HJT cells has even surpassed 28%. The application of these new materials will enable PV carports to generate more electricity under the same lighting conditions, further improving the economic benefits of the project.

2. Greater Intelligence

In the future, PV carports will be deeply integrated with energy storage systems to realize the integration of “PV + charging + energy storage”. Through an intelligent control system, the proportion of PV power generation, energy storage discharge, and electricity purchase from the grid will be automatically adjusted according to the electricity demand and grid electricity price fluctuations, improving energy utilization efficiency and reducing electricity costs. In addition, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology can also be used to realize remote monitoring and management, grasp the operation status of PV carports in real time, and promptly detect and solve fault problems.

3. Better Aesthetics

The development of BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) technology has enabled PV carports to no longer be limited to functional facilities but also have a sense of design and aesthetic value. By organically combining PV modules with building materials, various designs of PV carports can be created, allowing them to better integrate into the surrounding environment and meet the aesthetic needs of different places. For example, in some commercial complexes and high-end communities, PV carports have become a beautiful scenic spot.