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Futuristic end view photo of a solar carport looking down the centre through nested rows of aluminum struts.

Blog > Are Solar Carports for Parking Lots Going to Be Mandated Soon?

Are Solar Carports for Parking Lots Going to Be Mandated Soon?

Jan 28, 2025 by VCT Group

Urban areas pose a challenge to environmental sustainability. However, as the demand for renewable energy increases, innovative solutions are emerging to meet this need.

As sustainable solutions, solar carports also serve practical purposes in urban environments along with providing renewable solar energy.

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of solar carports, how they work, and why solar carports are on track to become a mandate for urban planning. 

What Are Solar Carports?

Solar carports are overhead structures topped with solar panels. The two most popular applications are parking lots and walkways. Their value comes from their ability to maximize underutilized spaces, combining renewable energy generation with practical infrastructure. What makes these carports different from standard solar panel systems is that instead of being installed on a flat surface like a roof, carports are elevated to provide both shelter and green energy generation. The structure of a solar carport is often optimized for the site location and can be designed integrate EV charging stations for vehicles. 

Top 3 Benefits of Solar Carports

1. Return On Investment (ROI)

Solar carports pay for themselves over time. The majority of the cost of owning solar panels comes from the initial installation. Once the panels are installed, their value increases over time as electricity costs continue to rise. VCT Group recently installed dual solar carports at 375 Hagey Blvd in Waterloo, reducing their energy costs by 41%. Alongside their commercial rooftop solar panels, they offset 105% of all power required at the facility. With larger parking areas, there is space to completely offset the facility’s power consumption. Any available grants and tax incentives for renewable energy investments further improve financial returns, making solar carports a viable option for businesses looking to improve property values and decrease operational costs.

For commercial lots and multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), these premium covered parking spots and EV charging convenience will create a secondary income opportunity that increases ROI.

The return on investment you receive from solar carports will depend on your individual properties or circumstances.

2. Lot Maintenance

Solar carports lower the maintenance cost of parking lots. The added shade acts as a protective barrier against damaging UV rays. Our Heliostation™ carports are made from durable materials that require minimal upkeep while providing protection against snow and rain. They improve the longevity of a parking lot while providing green energy generation. 

3. User Experience

Solar carports enhance the experience of parking your vehicles. They provide shade, which is relieving on hot days when cars heat up in direct sunlight. Carports help mitigate heat islands by keeping sunlight off dark asphalt. By integrating EV charging stations, customers can charge their electric vehicles while parked, promoting sustainable practices, and increasing convenience.

Will Solar Carports for Parking Lots Become Mandatory?

Many municipalities are beginning to prioritize sustainable practices in urban planning, with solar carports being one example. Over the past few years, there has been an ongoing discussion around legislation that would require solar carports in new parking lots. This is of particular importance in urban areas, where land is scarce and energy demand is rising.

An excellent example of this is France, where it has recently been mandated that all commercial parking lots must have solar carports. The French mandate requires both new and existing commercial parking lots to install solar carports before 2028. The French government has stated that in the next five years, commercial solar carport installations are set to contribute a massive 11 gigawatts of energy to the French grid. This is about the same as the output of ten power stations.

In neighbouring Germany, numerous federal states have enacted similar mandates for new commercial parking lots. They estimate that if this mandate were to be enacted for existing commercial parking lots as well, about a quarter of Germany’s new power generation would be directly attributed to solar carports by 2030.

This recent push towards mandatory solar carports is driven by several key factors. This includes the need for green initiatives to meet emissions reduction targets and the desire to enhance energy self-sufficiency within communities. Additionally, solar carports offer potential for revenue generation and cost savings through distributed energy resources.

Mandatory solar carports offer numerous benefits, including:

  • Better use of underutilized space.
  • Reduced heat island effect.
  • Increased energy generation at the community level.
  • Increased job creation in the renewable energy sector.

 

Solar carports blend renewable energy generation with practical infrastructure needs. They provide shade, enhance user experience, and offer attractive return on investment (ROI), making them a compelling choice for businesses and municipalities alike. Although there is no current mandate in North America for solar carports in commercial parking lots, legislative discussions on renewable energy are ongoing. These discussions are solidifying solar carports as a practical solution for a greener, more energy-efficient future for North Americans.

Although there is no current mandate in North America for solar carports in commercial parking lots, legislative discussions on renewable energy are ongoing. These discussions are solidifying solar carports as a practical solution for a greener, more energy-efficient future for North Americans