Solar Lattice

Architecture

Solar carport

ID
arch:carport-pv
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/arch/carport-pv
Status
active
Also known as
carport
Category
Plant type

A solar carport is a PV array built on a shade structure. NREL puts carports with commercial and industrial rooftop systems, in a size class of about 10 kW to 1,000 kW. Commercial three-phase grid-tied string inverters, such as the Solectria PVI 25TL-480-R and PVI 50/60TL, are marketed for carport installations as well as rooftop and ground-mount arrays. The inverter manufacturer does not intend these inverters for microgrid or off-grid carport systems. It also does not support their use in AC-coupled storage. NREL tested a 125 kW DC carport array at a federal building in Puerto Rico. Its output matched the expected value, but inverter capacity capped it at 100 kW. Working on carport systems requires fall protection and extra equipment for working at height. SolarEdge lists carports as one of its markets, and its design software training includes a session on commercial carport design.

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