Energy
Solar carports and EV charging: design it in from the start
A solar carport is the natural place to charge electric vehicles: generation above, cars below. It still has to be planned into the structure.
Why combine canopy and charging
Vehicles stay parked for hours, often during the day when the canopy generates. Pairing generation with charging lets part of the electricity be used on site, limits peak demand on the grid and offers a service to staff, customers or users. Rules on charging points in non-residential car parks add to the case.
What the structure must provide
- Cable routes: integrated trays along the beams, drops along the supports.
- Charger mounts: plates and fixing points at supports or under the structure.
- Rooms and cabinets: space for switchboards, inverters and possible storage.
- Scalability: spare ducts to equip bays progressively.
Normal or fast charging?
AC charging (typically 7 to 22 kW) suits vehicles parked for hours: staff, shoppers, park-and-ride. DC fast charging (50 kW and above) serves short stops: service areas, fleets, mobility hubs. It needs far more grid capacity, which storage and load management can smooth.
Load management and storage
An energy management system shares power across chargers, prioritises solar electricity and avoids exceeding the contracted capacity. A battery can absorb fast-charging peaks or shift generation into the evening.
At SUUN
The SUUN structure is designed to carry solar generation and host the cable routes and mounts for charging. Full integration of charging and storage is under development. Let’s discuss your project.
Frequently asked questions
Can chargers be added later?
Yes, if routes and spare ducts were planned. That costs far less than pulling cables under existing asphalt.
Can the canopy power the chargers on its own?
Rarely on its own, and not at night. It covers part of the demand; the grid and, if needed, a battery do the rest.
General information, up to date at the date shown. Design and regulatory compliance of each project must be validated by the competent teams.
