Photovoltaic carports are becoming a new favorite for photovoltaic applications, with both businesses and individuals showing strong interest. As multifunctional facilities that combine shading, protection, and green power generation, photovoltaic carports not only improve space utilization but also provide new solutions for energy conservation and consumption reduction. So, what are the actual power generation performance of photovoltaic carports? Where does the investment value lie? This article will provide an in-depth evaluation of various aspects, including power generation capacity, efficiency stability, economic benefits, and energy storage support.
Power Generation Capacity: Small Spaces Can Create Big Energy
The power generation capacity of photovoltaic carports primarily depends upon design capacity. For a standard parking space (around 15 square meters), 3-4 kilowatt-hour PV panels can generally be installed. Given the sunlight conditions in most of China, an average carport could generate electric energy of about 3,000-5,000 kWh a year. Hence, the capacity of power generation for a carport with 10 parking spaces will be 30,000-50,000 kWh per annum, sufficient to supply power to a small commercial outlet.
Compared with the traditional photovoltaic systems of the roofs, carports have more flexibility for design. Since carports are usually installed on a slope, the angle may be optimized according to the local latitude. This, in turn, is generally good for a 5% to 10% increase in power generation efficiency compared to flat-roof PV systems. Carports are also less obstructive, despite being capable of ventilation and heat dissipation, which collectively contribute to lower module operating temperatures and better aggregated power generation stability. In fact, data shows that with a given installed capacity, PV carports generate 8%-15% more power than rooftop PV systems.
Operational Stability: Excellent Long-Term Performance
As for the power generation efficiency, longevity and operational stability is a forte of PV carports. This moderate height permits many daily activities like maintenance and cleaning to be done on the module surface to ensure cleanliness. This improves power efficiency as no dust interferes. Further, having a high-grade structure retains the power generation ability from metamorphosis even in inclement weather events.
From the past experience of many operations, it is found that the annual degradation rate of PV carports stays well on the lesser side of 0.5%. Within this regime of power generation that is very precise, it is beneficial in stabilizing the return avenue for companies as well as individual investors.
Investment Returns: Steady and Substantial
PV carports also offer impressive economic benefits. For example, a 10-space carport requires an initial investment of approximately $20,800 to $27,800 USD. Depending on local electricity prices, annual electricity savings and power generation revenue can reach $2,800 to $4,200 USD, with a payback period of approximately 6 to 8 years. Considering that PV modules typically have a lifespan of over 25 years, this means at least 15 years of net income after the investment is recovered.(based on an exchange rate of 7.2 CNY/USD)
More notably, some regions offer subsidies or incentives for PV carport projects, further enhancing their investment appeal. From a long-term perspective, PV carports are both energy-saving facilities and stable financial investment channels.
PV + Energy Storage: Further Enhances the Value of Carports
Although already great for photovoltaic generation, the value of PV carports is further increased by an energy storage system. PV generation occurs largely during the day, while peak electricity consumption in households or businesses is often in the evening or at night. Without an energy-storage system, a house must sell its excess generation during the afternoon hours for lower prices and then at night from the grid at high prices. With an energy-storage system, excess generation during the day can be stored and directly used at night to maximize self-generation and self-use.
Huijue Group lends reliable support to the application of photovoltaic carports:
High Safety:The product is of modular construction and with multi-protection in design. Industry's best battery cell thermal management and system-protection makes sure worry-free utilization for home and commercial users alike.
Intelligent Management:Energy scheduling along with remote monitoring allows power allocation flexibility based on user habits, which greatly increases energy efficiency.
Outstanding Economic Benefits: By shifting peak loads and filling valleys, the proportion of self-generated photovoltaic power for self-use is increased, reducing reliance on the grid and shortening the investment payback period.
Flexible Deployment: The energy storage cabinets are compact and easy to install, adapting to a variety of scenarios, from home carports to large commercial parking lots.
Added Value: More than just a power station, they are also a smart energy gateway.
The virtue of photovoltaic carports goes far beyond electricity generation and energy conservation. Their waterproof and sun shading capabilities can effectively isolate automobiles, chill the inside, and end air conditioning use, another energy-saving measure. In-line charging using self-supplied power is enabled in certain smart carports through electric vehicle charging stations, achieving a complete closed-loop clean energy loop.
In general, photovoltaic carports, with high power generation efficiency, stable operation performance, and excellent economic advantages, have become a useful green energy option. With the gradual enhancement of energy storage technology, the investment value of photovoltaic carports will become even greater.
For consumers and businesses that wish to invest in green energy, it is advisable to choose a "photovoltaic carport + energy storage" package that not only saves long-term electricity costs but also sets up a reliable, intelligent, and safe power system. The photovoltaic carport of the future will no longer be a sunshade over parking lots but also a major driving force for the clean energy revolution.
