A photovoltaic solar canopy is an aluminum or steel structure that is installed in the parking lot of a company, a public administration or a residential building. Its function is to generate the energy necessary to recharge the electric vehicles that are parked in the place. They represent an excellent alternative to photovoltaic self-consumption.
Regarding this innovative energy saving solution, the company SpotiCharge reported that projects are currently being developed with the support of the Spanish Government. The State is providing subsidies for photovoltaic self-consumption with which you can obtain a savings of up to 50% for the installation.
The traditional steel canopy
There is a wide variety of hot-dip galvanized steel canopies with a corrugated sheet metal cover in car parks to protect vehicles from the sun, rain, snow or hail. SpotiCharge carries out projects where we adapt the structure to its solar version by adding solar panels to the structure and removing or not the corrugated sheet.
An expanded background
Spain is determined to encourage photovoltaic self-consumption projects throughout the country. As reported by the SpotiCharge team, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (Miteco) recently announced an increase in funds. Now they have additional resources in the order of 505 million euros.
The objective is that more people or companies bet to carry out projects of this nature by installing photovoltaic panels in their spaces. The SpotiCharge team says that the government program contemplates a subsidy of 600 euros per installed kWp. This makes these energy efficient installations more accessible to a larger number of consumers.
The installation of a photovoltaic canopy has the same benefits as other solar panel devices. They significantly reduce the consumption of electrical energy and the consumption of contracted power. They contribute to the reduction in the payment of electricity tax. They also allow load diversion and are investments that can be 100% amortized in a relatively short time.
Photovoltaic self-consumption in canopy
Less CO₂ emissions
The main reason why the Spanish State is encouraging the use of photovoltaic self-consumption is its ability to reduce CO₂ emissions. SpotiCharge asserts that for every kilowatt-hour generated, approximately 1 kilogram of carbon dioxide is avoided from being emitted into the atmosphere. Likewise, 3 grams of SO2 and 2 grams of NOx are no longer sent to the environment.
SpotiCharge is a Spanish company specialized in the design of this type of project. They are in charge of project management, the technical part and the application for subsidies. This firm is also in charge of the construction and maintenance of photovoltaic plants.
The availability of more efficient solar panels in terms of energy generation has made this type of project more viable. SpotiCharge says that for example, a carport installation for 40 cars is equivalent to 40 x 12.5 = 500 square meters of plates and has an energy production of 107 kW. This allows charging 2 100% electric vehicles in fast mode and up to 9 in semi-fast mode. All this with a renewable and non-polluting source of energy, but above all, that does not increase the electricity bill.
Reduce the cost of transportation
With an energy produced by the sun that is almost permanent in Spain, and a plug-in or 100% electric adapted electric vehicle, the cost of transport can be significantly reduced and favor sustainable mobility.
Warranty
The guarantee of photovoltaic energy production is guaranteed by a double guarantee of its panels up to 25 years in power and 25 years in manufacturing defect.