General
A solar carport is a ground-mounted, canopy style steel structure that can be built over any type of car park. They provide year-round shelter for vehicles, whilst enabling on-site renewable energy production thanks to photovoltaic PV panels.
By featuring a tilted roof design, solar panels can be seamlessly integrated and offer natural drainage for rainwater using a guttering system. The clean, green electricity harnessed by the solar panels can either be used to help power buildings to lower reliance on the grid or to charge electric vehicles on-site.
A solar carport works in the same way as a roof or ground mounted solar PV system does. The renewable energy generated flows through the connecting cables, through an inverter, into a distribution board and on to where there is energy demand.
The unique difference is that solar carport systems offer the additional advantage of year-round covered parking and future-proof electric vehicle charging infrastructure can be integrated.
Solarpark Energy tailor the solar carport design to meet the specific site needs, optimising the space to ensure minimal loss of parking spaces. Our innovative solutions are adaptable and come in a range of design configurations to suit most car parking layouts.
There are various structure types with different roof orientations and can be single or double sided depending on site requirements and available space.
A range of technologies such as LED lighting, electric vehicle charging points, rainwater harvesting and CCTV can be fully integrated into our solar carports, further enhancing the sustainability and safety benefits.
A commercial solar carport installation at your car park will typically require planning permission from the local authority. It will also need permission from the local distribution network operator (DNO) who will determine if a connection can be made to the local grid.
With Solarpark Energy’s fully funded solution, our expert team takes care of everything from coordinating pre-design technical surveys, to managing the planning applications and gaining the required grid connection approval.
A commercial solar carport is proven to bring significant financial and environmental benefits to businesses and landlord and is set to play a key role in driving energy independence in the UK.
By optimising existing parking areas, a solar carport by Solarpark Energy unlocks the benefits of generating on-site renewable energy to power buildings and charge electric vehicles. This enables businesses to save money and meet sustainability targets, transitioning to a greener future. Airports, retail parks, offices and large commercial and industrial premises are all ideal sites for a commercial solar carport installation.
Yes, the renewable energy generated by the solar carport can be used to power EV charging points during the day. This will enable your business to charge a fleet of vehicles, offer free EV charging to staff as a benefit or generate additional revenue from visitors using the charging facilities.
By fully understanding your business’s electric vehicle strategy we can integrate a commercial EV charging solution as part of the solar carport project. The supply and installation of charging points is an added feature, and the cost is not covered under the PPA.
We’ll guide you through the entire process. To ensure your car park is future-proofed we can install charging infrastructure that makes it easy to fit additional charging points down the line as demand rises.
Every project is unique and the number of solar panels, their efficiency and installation location are all key factors that will determine a solar carport’s annual generation output. As part of our free feasibility study, we can calculate the amount of annual renewable energy output a solar carport installed in your car park could generate.
Any additional electricity needed on site is purchased from your energy supplier at the current rate.
Solarpark Energy only uses Tier 1 solar PV technologies for maximum yield and superior performance. Solar panels will typically include a 30-year warranty and efficiency can be optimised by properly maintaining the solar carport system.
The solar carport structure will be designed in a way that minimises the number of car parking spaces lost. Our goal is for zero spaces to be lost, but this is confirmed once we carry out our free feasibility study.
If the solar panels are not producing enough on-site green electricity to meet your business’ demands, then any additional electricity needed will be purchased from your energy supplier at the current standard rate.
Any excess solar energy that your business doesn’t consume on site is exported to the grid.
Solarpark Energy will operate the solar carport installed in your car park, optimising performance 365 days a year. To ensure maximum efficiency, we’ll monitor and maintain the system, taking care of all solar panel cleaning, servicing and repairs for peace of mind.
Your business’s energy supply will switch to grid supply. The solar carport system will switch back on as soon as our Operations and Maintenance Team resolves the issue or fault. The cost to replace any faulty solar panels or inverters is fully covered by Solarpark Energy, there is no cost to your business.
By adopting a phased approach during construction, we aim to minimise disruption to your daily operations and car park accessibility. There will be some areas of your car park closed as we progress through each stage of the solar carport build.
Once the solar carport is successfully switched on and providing your business with low cost, green electricity, the operations and maintenance of the system will be in the safe hands of our expert team. We’ll monitor its performance 24/7, ensuring maximum efficiency. Should you need any technical support or have an issue with your solar carport system we’ll be on hand to help. Contact our team at [email protected]
PPA Funding
Through a PPA agreement, Solarpark Energy will manage the design, planning, construction, and the ongoing operation and maintenance of the solar carport system in your car park.
In return, your business simply pays Solarpark Energy for the green electricity generated by the solar carport system at a competitive rate, 25% lower than current grid prices. Our Power Purchase Agreement fixes the cost for the 30-year term, unlocking immediate savings and long-term energy security, whilst preserving capital. Solarpark Energy will own, insure, and operate the solar carport.
All you need to do is provide our expert team with some basic details about the location and size of your business’ car park, along with your electricity consumption data and current pricing from your energy supplier.
We’ll then carry out a desktop feasibility of your site so we can provide a high-level assessment of your car park’s viability for a solar carport fully funded by Solarpark Energy.
By providing us with your electricity usage and cost per kWh we’ll estimate system size and output, and the anticipated electricity cost and carbon emission savings. We’ll also advise on planning permission, grid connection and the p/kW PPA price your business will pay for the renewable energy consumed.
By future-proofing your car park with a fully funded solar carport by Solarpark Energy, businesses will reduce their current electricity bills by up to 25%.
Solarpark Energy will cover the cost of the solar carport installation in your car park. Our experts take care of everything including the planning, design, construction and all ongoing operation and maintenance. This enables your business to harness the benefits of on-site renewable energy and significantly reduce electricity bills and carbon emissions without the capital outlay.
Solarpark Energy pays 100% of the set up and ongoing maintenance and servicing costs. In return, your business pays for green electricity consumed on-site over the 30-year PPA term.
Yes you can. The agreement is also made with your landlord, when your business leaves the premises, the solar carport system will transfer to the new tenant or the property owner.
Solarpark Energy will transfer the PPA to the new tenant or property owner. The new tenant or property will benefit from cost-effective, on-site renewable electricity. The new owner will have the right to cancel the agreement with an agreed cancellation fee.
A Solarpark Energy PPA can be cancelled. Terms can be agreed upon to enable your business to buy out of the agreement
There is no catch with our fully funded solar carport solutions. Your business simply pays for the solar energy you use, so you benefit from significantly reduced electricity bills and carbon emissions. Remember that if you end the agreement early, terms can be agreed and there will be a cancellation fee and you will have minimal disruption onsite while the solar ports are fitted
Our discount always tracks your electricity tariff as it goes up or down month to month over the 30 years term.