Solar Carport Systems
Solar Carport
Structures from China
Aluminum gutter-integrated carport frames for parking canopies and BIPV applications. Custom spans, free engineering layout, factory-direct pricing.
Why Solar Carports?
Solar carport structures turn otherwise unproductive car parking into revenue-generating solar infrastructure. Unlike rooftop solar, carports generate power on land that is already committed to infrastructure use — with no roof penetration risk and no disruption to occupied buildings during installation.
The key design challenge is waterproofing: a conventional carport with solar panels bolted on top creates water ingress risk at penetration points and requires a separate drainage system. OmniSol's gutter-integrated aluminum extrusion design eliminates this problem — the beam itself is the gutter, and water channels to downpipes at the column base without additional cost.
The system is modular and scalable: a single column row can be added to an existing car park without major civil work, and additional rows installed in subsequent phases as budget and demand allow.
The Integrated Gutter Advantage
Standard carport frames have a flat or pitched top beam that requires a separate gutter system to manage rainfall. OmniSol's top beam is an extruded aluminum profile with a built-in drainage channel — water from the module surface flows directly into the beam channel and down through the column to the drain. This eliminates:
Separate gutter hardware
No aluminium or UPVC gutter profile needed — saves cost and installation time.
Leak risk at penetrations
No fixings through the waterproof surface — the extrusion is the waterproofing.
Maintenance cost
No gutter to clean, realign, or reseal. The integrated channel self-clears.
Applications
Commercial Car Parks
Office, retail, and industrial car parks. Generates income from existing parking infrastructure. Canopy coverage typically 10–30% of total parking area for first phase.
Supermarkets & Retail
Large flat car parks adjacent to retail stores. High daytime consumption profile aligns well with solar generation curve. EV charging integration common.
Schools & Universities
Educational campus car parks. Strong ESG narrative. Daytime generation profile matches school operating hours. Often paired with storage.
Warehouses & Logistics
Large paved yard areas adjacent to distribution centres. Structures span loading dock approaches and truck parking areas.
EV Charging Hubs
Solar-covered EV charging stations. Canopy reduces heat stress on vehicles and charging equipment. Self-consumption model reduces grid dependency.
Agricultural / Rural
Farm vehicle parking and crop storage shed roofs. Structures can be adapted for livestock shade shelters with panel-as-roof design.
Standard Specifications
| Frame material | EN AW-6005A T5/T6 aluminum alloy extrusion |
|---|---|
| Surface finish | Anodized (natural / silver) or powder coat (RAL colors on request) |
| Drainage | Integrated gutter channel in top beam — no separate guttering required |
| Module fixing | T-slot extrusion with standard mid and end clamps; frameless module option available |
| Column spacing | 5.5m–6m standard; up to 8m with extended beam |
| Clearance height | 2.2m–3.2m adjustable (truck-height variants available) |
| Wind load | Per project: EN 1990 / AS/NZS 1170 / ASCE 7 calculation included |
| Finish options | Silver anodized (standard), black anodized, custom RAL powder coat |
| Warranty | 12-year product warranty; 25-year design life |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a BIPV solar carport?
BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) carport refers to a carport structure where the solar modules serve as the roof of the carport, providing both weather protection and electricity generation. Unlike a conventional carport with a separate solar array on top, a BIPV carport integrates the module into the structure itself. OmniSol's waterproof gutter-integrated carport design achieves this using aluminum T-slot frames where modules sit in the frame with integrated drainage channels.
What span widths are available for solar carports?
OmniSol's standard carport systems cover single-row spans of 5–6m (single parking lane) and double-row spans of 9–12m (two parking lanes). Column-free spans beyond 12m are possible with custom beam design. Custom widths, heights, and column spacing are available for specific project requirements.
Can solar carports charge EVs?
Yes. Solar carport structures are increasingly specified with integrated EV charging infrastructure. The canopy provides protected access to charging points and reduces cable exposure. OmniSol can coordinate the structural carport with conduit pathways and cable management for EV charging installation. Inverter and charging equipment are specified separately.
How are solar carports installed — do they require concrete foundations?
Standard solar carports use driven steel piles or cast concrete footings depending on soil conditions and local structural requirements. For installations on existing hardstand (concrete car parks), surface-mount concrete ballast bases are used. OmniSol provides foundation specifications and can coordinate with a local structural engineer for sign-off.
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Need project-specific engineering support?
Free CAD layout, wind/snow load calculations, and BOM — included with every order.
Get a Solar Carport Layout & Quote
Send us your site dimensions, number of parking bays, and system size target. We'll provide a free CAD layout, structural frame specification, and factory-direct price within 48 hours.
Request Carport Layout