Solar technology has led to some unexpected innovations. If you are already familiar with electric vehicles, there is another invention that could well take over your home. It is a solar panel carport. This small shelter protects your electric car while producing clean electricity. How does solar carport work? How much does this type of structure cost? That’s what we propose you to discover in this article.
The solar carport: What is it?
We call a “ solar carport,” a shelter that allows you to protect your car. This structure has the advantage of being covered with rigid solar panels or flexible solar panels.
In addition to producing clean solar energy, the carport protects your car from rain, hail, and snow… If you can not put your car in a garage, the carport is a good alternative to protect your car.
At home, the carport does not have a predefined size. It can contain one or more vehicles. The largest structures measure 40 m².
Solar panel carports: a solution for producing clean electricity
Solar panel carports do not only protect your car. It is also used to produce electricity thanks to the photovoltaic panels installed on the structure. If you don’t have an electric vehicle, this solar energy can be used to satisfy your domestic needs (household appliances, light). This allows you to reduce the price of your electricity bill.
Also, if your goal is to produce green electricity for your home, solar panels are less expensive than a carport. If you do not need a place to protect your electric car, photovoltaic panels will probably suit you better than a carport.
This solution is very advantageous for you. Your electricity is green and local, and you don’t have to do any work to change the appearance of your roof. If you are in an area where external modifications to houses are prohibited, the carport is a resource to consider to produce clean electricity.
In addition, with this installation, you can charge your electric car with green solar energy. In addition to preserving the environment, you save money. Indeed, the cost of the installation of a charging station will be amortized by the recharges made at home.
Finally, the inverter of your installation is located inside the photovoltaic carport. This means that you will not have to find a place for it in your house.
How much does a solar carport cost?
The price of the carport varies according to various criteria.
Which power to choose for self-consumption?
The first thing to take into account is the power of the photovoltaic modules and their number. The installation will be more expensive with the higher power of the panels. If you want a good yield, you will have to invest a certain amount from the start. Of course, you will be able to produce more electricity than with cheaper, less efficient photovoltaic panels. A power range of 1.4 to 7.5 kW is preferred.
The dimensions and materials of the solar shelter
The second factor to consider when estimating the price of a solar carport is the size of your carport, as well as the choice of materials. Open-sided carports are less expensive and require less effort to install. They are, therefore, less expensive than closed carports, but as the name suggests, they are “open” on the sides. This means that they are not as good at protecting your vehicle from the weather.
What is the cost of solar panel installation?
The third and final factor influencing the price of the installation is the existence of a charging station in the carport. Expect a budget between 10,000 € and 30,000 € for the purchase and installation of your solar carport. , cleaning is essential, you can find the cheapest carport pv cleaning to solve this.
The different types of solar carports
In addition to the size of your carport, you can also choose the materials and type of solar panels. These can be made of monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon modules. They can contain a back sheet or be made of glass. The latter are transparent and are therefore more attractive: they blend in more easily with the decor. Your shelter may or may not have a frame.
Good to know: An installation with frameless panels will look more original and pleasing to the eye.
What are the disadvantages of having an electric carport?
This structure will require you to have a certain amount of space available. This means that you will have to allocate a portion of your land to this device for your vehicle.
What does a solar carport with an electric car charging station consist of?
The different elements of a carport vary from one offer to another. That said, you will always find the following components:
The solar panels ;
The micro-inverters;
The structure of your carport (your choice: aluminum or wood);
The cables connecting the micro-inverters;
Possibly a charging station.
