A solar carport serves two functions simultaneously: it generates electricity and provides shade for parked vehicles. In a country where car interiors reach 70-80°C in summer, the shade value alone is significant. For homes and businesses with large parking areas, solar carports offer an excellent return on space.
| Factor | Rooftop Solar | Solar Carport |
|---|---|---|
| Structure cost | Roof already exists | Requires carport structure (₱8,000–15,000/m²) |
| Panel orientation | Fixed by roof angle | Optimizable — ideal tilt and azimuth |
| Shading benefit | None | Protects vehicles from heat and rain |
| Panel ventilation | Often restricted | Excellent — open structure keeps panels cooler |
| Aesthetic flexibility | Follows roof design | Can be architecturally designed |
| Typhoon resistance | Roof handles wind | Requires proper engineering for wind loads |
A 2-car solar carport (covering ~30m²) with 3kW of panels:
Carport structures must comply with NSCP 2015 wind load provisions. For typhoon-prone areas (Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Northern Luzon), specify structural steel with 150+ km/h wind rating. Always require a structural engineer's sign-off.
Find installers who design and build solar carports at solarenergyph.shop.
Engr. Jason Morales — Founder, SolarEnergyPH