With many people speaking of Solar panel parking lot advantages, it is more easily pictured as the future.
As of today in some cities, solar panel-clad car parks have been fused into their urban space.
These solar panel car parks have been envisioned to have renewable power potentials, transforming simple parking spaces into hubs of clean energy.
Also, while many advantages of this innovation seems amazing, one cool feature is in its production cost which is considered to be greatly decreased supporting an ecofriendly future in our cities.
What a Solar Car Park is
A solar car park is a canopy-like shade that produces energy from large sun exposed surfaces while providing coverage area and a rest place for drivers or for people.
Car parks have been tested and proven to be an ideal place for solar panels, they provide both shade and electricity where it is needed.
Solar panels on a car park roof, how safe?
Equivalent to the installation of solar panels in homes, it can also be installed on car park roofs safely.
However, experienced hands is an added advantage especially when the space is relatively small.
In cases like this, the installer should a structural engineer take a look at the roof’s load-bearing capacity, to ensure the roof can support the combined added weight of the panels.
This is a crucial step as it ensures safeguarding both the installation investment and the safety of the people/vehicles below it – otherwise, it they may be consequences.
Also, other important factors to consider when installing solar panels in parking lots, will be size, location, and specific requirements, all in line with the overall cost of installation which may run from thousands to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Solar Panel Parking Lots Benefits
Below are solar panel parking lot advantages, they include:
- They allow for efficient use of space
- Provision of Shade and vehicle protection
- Their car park roofs are usually located in sizable areas stretched to receive plenty of sunlight all daylong, this makes them efficient locations for solar installations.
- The direct overhead location allow them to double as shades in uncovered car parks, that protect vehicles from harsh sunlight and heat.
- A fully integrated solar car park with EV charging & battery energy storage lowers electricity costs and produce additional income from it EV charge points
- They reduce carbon footprint
- Help to generate your own clean renewable energy
- They also reduce grid dependence
- Enhance user experience of car parks
- They reduce light associated pollution
- Increase asset value
- Solar car parks retain the ability to supply places with pure renewable energy from the sun, thereby reducing current carbon consumptions
- Owners can make good investments by selling the excess power back to the grid through the smart export guarantee (SEG) scheme.
- One of the many solar parking lots advantages is that they can also serve as solar charging stations – where people often park for hours at a time.
Challenges of Solar Panel Parking Lots
Despite solar power generation being a resourceful use of unused urban spaces, there are few challenges and drawbacks associated with it.
Solar panels usually need professional and continuous maintenance which implies how susceptible they are to damage especially during severe weather, incurring extra costs.
Also, alternatives like creating urban gardens or community spaces instead may be more suitable and productive for the needs of the local area.
Not to mention, conserve our environment as well plants and animals habitat.
Which countries is solar panels used on car park roofs?
In the UK, the vision of solar panel-equipped car parks is already a reality.
Across the country, many car parks are getting an eco-friendly upgrade to harness the sun’s energy right above our cars and vans. A good example is
Bentley Motors HQ, Crewe where the UK’s largest solar carport has been installed.
The company further claims, all electricity used in its manufacturing process is now solar-generated or certified green.
Nottingham City Council’s solar carport, Harvey Hadden Sports Village have similar innovation with its solar carport, made up of 448 modules over 40 parking spaces, generating about 55,700 kWh of electricity every year – sufficient to power over 20 average-sized three-bedroom homes.
Other countries putting solar panels in parking lots roofs?
Among countries taking solar panel parking lot advantages is France – with a new law towards sustainable energy that mandates solar panels on large outdoor car parks.
This proposed legislation states that car parks with over 80 parking spaces have a maximum of 5 years to install “photovoltaic shades”.
China – being a highly manufacturing country is also keen on renewable energy and have embraced solar-powered car parking spaces. Seen across office buildings, factories, and high-speed service zones.
The U.S is certainly not sitting on the bench here. They are among countries who have adopted solar panels parking lots in various regions.
Conclusion
Car park solar panels offer great attractive advantages ranging from effective space-saving, cost-reduction, vehicle-protection, eco-friendly measure that support green EV charging and more.
Little wonder, how fast its been adopted in the developed countries where businesses thrive seeking a sustainable solution and leading the charge for a solar-powered revolution and around the world eventually.