Should a solar carport be your next home upgrade?

Solar carports are having a moment.

You may have seen the canopy-like structures on top of public parking lots or garages, but they’re starting to pop up more frequently. Now you can find them everywhere, from suburban homes to the Cincinnati Zoo — and even on Mount Everest. In fact, according to Fortune Business Insights, the global solar carport market is “projected to grow significantly,” more than doubling by 2032.

By creating renewable energy using what would otherwise be wasted parking space, solar carports are a practical solar solution that offer many advantages. Here’s what you should know about this increasingly popular solar structure.

A solar carport is an overhead canopy equipped with solar panels that generate electricity over a parking area. While a typical carport or patio cover provides shading and protection from the sun—undoubtedly a value-add for home or automobile owners—solar carports offer the benefit of renewable energy generation and optional integration with accessories like EV chargers and solar batteries.

A solar panel carport works just like a traditional rooftop solar panel system, featuring solar panels mounted on the roof of the structure that convert sunlight into electrical energy. The basic solar carport structure is a standalone frame, usually made of metal, wood, or polycarbonate, and is elevated enough for cars to comfortably fit underneath. In addition to solar power generation, solar carports provide shade and shelter for parked cars, protecting vehicles from snow, rain, and other weather elements.

Solar carport systems typically cost around $3.17 per watt, according to the latest EnergySage Marketplace data. That figure takes into account the cost of the solar panels themselves, as well as construction and installation.That means the average cost of a 5-kilowatt solar carport is typically around $15,850 before applying the federal solar tax credit. Keep in mind, this figure will vary based on your location, the installer you choose, the size of your system, and your energy needs.

Though the dollars per watt figure for solar carports is higher than rooftop solar due to their custom design and the extra materials and labor required, they’re still, on average, slightly cheaper than a ground-mounted system. 

You can compare and contrast carport, ground mount, and rooftop solar costs using this table, which contains the average U.S. dollars per watt, system size, and percentage need met (which refers to what percentage of electricity needs the system supplied on average).

Residential solar comparison by mount location

Solar carports offer a number of financial and environmental benefits, but they might not be the best option for you depending on your budget, how much energy you typically use, your property’s available space and other factors such as your driveway’s sunlight exposure. While they’re space-efficient and serve multiple purposes, solar carports sometimes  have lengthier installation times compared to rooftop or ground-mounted solar panel systems if they’re being built from the ground up.

Pros:

• Lower electric bills

• Efficient use of space

• Shaded parking and protection against weather elements for cars

• Seamless EV charging

• High ROI and increased property value

Cons:

• Costly and more complex installation

• Long permitting process and potential zoning/HOA restrictions

• Regular maintenance

Solar carports vs. ground-mounted solar panels

Solar carports have many things in common with ground-mounted solar panels, which are angled panel modules installed on the ground rather than on a rooftop. Ground-mounted solar panels are low to the ground and occupy unused land space, while solar carports are usually placed in your driveway and are high enough off the ground to accommodate parked vehicles underneath. 

If your roof isn’t right for solar panels based on its condition, sunlight orientation, or nearby shading, both solar carports and ground-mounted solar panels have less constraints in terms of their placement and angling, and won’t require any changes to your infrastructure. Plus, both structures allow installers to orient the panels at the most optimal angle for sunlight exposure. Another benefit of ground-mounted solar panels is that they are easy to clean, maintain, and adjust.

Solar carports vs. rooftop solar

As with ground-mounted solar, it is often assumed that versatile solutions like solar carports and ground mounts are only meant for homeowners who can’t install rooftop solar panels. However, the reality is that these alternative options can often make more sense for homeowners due to a variety of factors.

Any issues with roof angle, orientation, and size are eliminated with a carport because the roof can be angled to face whichever direction receives the most sun exposure (usually towards the south if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere).

With rooftop solar, homeowners can face space limitations depending on the slope and size of their rooftop. These space constraints are eliminated with ground-mount solar (assuming you have enough yard space), and are rare with solar carports. 

That being said, rooftop solar panels are currently still the fastest, easiest, and cheapest to install. However, homeowners should also consider ease of maintenance when choosing a solar panel system. Although rooftop solar panels require very little maintenance, they’re still the hardest to access for cleaning, repairs, or replacements.

Residential carports vs. commercial solar carports

Commercial and residential carports differ in terms of layout, sizing, and building requirements. Residential carports typically have parking space for one to three cars, while commercial carports can be large enough to fit dozens or even hundreds of rows of cars. 

Aside from size, solar carport construction varies based on the angle of the panels. Panels will either be angled upwards in one direction (Figure A), angled and curved in one direction leading to a flat surface (Figure B), or very slightly angled to the point of appearing flat (Figure C), typically to provide shading and coverage for a larger number of cars.

In terms of the materials used for construction, commercial solar carports will almost always require a steel metal foundation, which adds a significant expense to the total cost of installation. By comparison, smaller residential carports have flexibility around their structure materials and design—a homeowner could choose a larger carport layout or a smaller patio cover to host a modest solar panel system.

Since roof-mounted solar panel systems still reign supreme in terms of popularity, not all installers offer solar carports. Homeowners can start the process of building a solar carport by finding a reputable contractor in their area and shopping around for quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace, as well as consulting with an Energy Advisor to ensure their carport plan maximizes its solar potential. 

If you’re looking to install solar panels on an existing carport, our Energy Advisors will help you understand its solar potential and compare quotes to find the best option for your specific energy needs. 

For some handy homeowners, smaller off-grid systems (rather than systems that power your entire home) are a challenging, but rewarding option. If you’re up for that challenge and interested in constructing a small solar carport yourself, you can explore DIY solar installation.

Are solar carports worth it?

Solar carports are a great solution for EV owners, homeowners whose roofs aren’t well-suited for solar panels, or simply for people who want to increase their renewable energy production. If your driveway is in a sunny area and can adequately accommodate a solar carport, you’ll benefit from clean, renewable energy generation and a shaded, sheltered area to park (and charge!) your car.

Before deciding on a solar carport for your property, be sure to do your research, assess your energy needs, and look into your local zoning policies, permitting processes, and HOA rules.

If you’re looking to install solar panels on an existing carport, our Energy Advisors will help you understand its solar potential and compare quotes to find the best option for your specific energy needs.