Solar carports put generation over the parking NOI's clients already own.
When the roof is too small, too old or too shaded, a canopy over the parking lot can carry the array instead. It also covers the spaces and puts conduit exactly where EV chargers will go.
The parking lot is often the best site on the property.
The roof cannot carry it
Roof area, structure, age or shading limits a rooftop array. A canopy is a separate structure with its own foundations.
Covered parking is worth something
Shade and weather cover for residents, staff and visitors, on a surface the property already maintains.
EV charging is coming
Running conduit and capacity to the spaces once, during canopy construction, is far cheaper than trenching twice. See commercial EV charging.
More structure, more site work, fewer roof constraints.
Foundations and structure
Canopies need foundations, steel and engineering for wind and snow loads. That adds cost against a rooftop array of the same size.
Site work and permitting
Trenching to the electrical service, lighting under the canopy, drainage and local zoning or setback rules all enter the design.
Program treatment
Some state programs treat canopies differently from roof arrays, for example with a separate adder. Programs and rounds change, so we confirm what is open for the site.
What NOI checks for solar carports
- Parking layout, circulation and the number of spaces covered
- Soil, foundations and snow and wind loads
- Distance from the canopy to the electrical service
- Local zoning, setbacks and lighting requirements
- Planned EV charging, so conduit and capacity go in once
- State and utility program rules for canopy systems
Related: Commercial solar, Commercial EV charging, Battery storage, Multifamily properties.
Solar carports: articles from the NOI blog
Solar carports: common questions
Why choose a solar carport over a rooftop array?
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When the roof is too small, too old, too shaded or not structurally suited, or when covered parking and EV charging are part of the plan. A canopy is its own structure, so it costs more to build than a roof array of the same size.
Can a solar carport include EV chargers?
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Yes. Canopy construction is the best time to run conduit and electrical capacity to the spaces, even if ports are installed later as demand grows.
Who pays for a carport?
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Projects are delivered owner-funded, financed or third-party funded. Which structure applies, and who pays, owns the equipment and receives the benefit, is set in the project agreement after underwriting.
More questions? Read the full FAQ or talk to us.
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