Solar Carport vs. Traditional Solar Installation

Solar power offers an unlimited source of energy that helps reduce your monthly electricity bill. Traditional solar installations take advantage of existing roof areas, and their racking system is attached directly to your roof structure. On the other hand, a solar carport is an independent structure anchored directly to the ground, which generates electricity while acting as a roof for your vehicles. Each type of system has advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits of a Solar Carport

A solar carport is slightly more expensive than a rooftop PV system of the same capacity, since you need a dedicated structure. However, solar carports also offer several benefits.

• You can convert unproductive parking space into a renewable energy system.

• Your vehicle is covered from rainfall, snow and UV rays.

• Solar panels and inverters can be accessed more easily for cleaning, inspections and maintenance.

• A solar carport can be designed with an orientation that maximizes the sunlight reaching your PV modules, increasing their electricity output.

Benefits of Roof Panels

Rooftop solar panels are the traditional option for homeowners, and they offer the following advantages.

• Since the solar panels use an existing roof structure, you save on installation costs.

• Solar panel installation companies are highly experienced with rooftop systems due to their popularity.

• You can use solar panels without covering additional land space.

  
  

However, not all properties have a suitable roof area for solar panels. There are also properties with constantly shaded roofs, which are not suitable for solar generation.