Short answer
Carport solar panels are a steel structure over a car park whose roof is covered with panels, shading vehicles and generating electricity. In Antalya, high daytime self-consumption in hotel, shopping centre and factory car parks strengthens the project. For example, a 100-vehicle car park allows about 263 kWp. Structure, wind load and permit status are the critical design topics.
Key takeaways
- A hypothetical 100-vehicle car park means about 435 panels and 263 kWp (PVGIS optimum upper bound about 436 MWh/year).
- Typical panel datasheet wind load is 2400 Pa and snow load 5400 Pa; the structure must be designed for wind load.
- The rear-side gain of a glass-glass bifacial panel depends on ground albedo; it is limited on dark asphalt.
- For non-residential facilities, net metering is hourly from 1 May 2026.
- For a carport's building permit status, a written opinion should be obtained from the municipality's zoning directorate.
Carport solar panels are a structure in which the roof of a steel frame built over a car park is covered with solar panels, both shading the vehicles and generating electricity. In hotels, shopping centres, factories and housing complexes with limited roof area but large car parks, an idle parking surface becomes an energy-generating area. Considering the intensity of the summer sun in Antalya, the overheating of vehicle interiors and the summer peak load of tourism facilities, a carport makes particular sense. In this carport solar panel guide we cover the structure, production, regulation and a sizing example.
What are carport solar panels and where are they used?
A carport consists of columns, beams and a panel-bearing roof system. The panels are fixed to this roof, and vehicles park beneath. Single-row (cantilever) or double-row (T-type) designs are common. Areas of application are as follows:
- Hotels and resorts: A car park that is full all day and a high summer air-conditioning load.
- Shopping centres: Heavy daytime consumption and a large open car park.
- Factories and organised industrial zone (OSB) facilities: Staff and shipping car parks.
- Housing complexes and hospitals: Common-area and emergency load consumption.
- Municipal and public car parks: Large areas used all day.
The biggest advantage of this system is that it puts no load on the roof structure and the design can be optimised entirely for the sun: tilt, orientation and row spacing can be chosen. In return a separate supporting structure is needed, which means an additional structural investment compared with a roof system. For the differences between roof and ground-mounted systems, you can look at our roof solar plant vs ground-mounted solar plant article.
Production and shading: how much does a carport produce?
A carport's production is calculated from panel capacity and the specific yield PVGIS gives for Antalya: 1,656 kWh/kWp at optimum tilt for Antalya city centre, 1,649 kWh/kWp for Manavgat and 1,615 kWh/kWp for Alanya. Because carport roofs are generally built at a low tilt, the real value differs from the optimum; we detailed the effect of angle in our panel tilt and orientation article.
The table below shows estimated capacity and production for hypothetical car park sizes. Assumptions: about 12.5 m² per parking space (2.5 × 5 m), about 90% of the area covered with panels, panel size 2,278 × 1,134 mm (about 2.58 m²), panel power 605 W and optimum-tilt production. In a real design, column spacing, vehicle height and tilt losses change the figure.
| Car park | Parking area | Number of panels | Capacity | Annual production (upper bound) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 vehicles | 625 m² | about 218 | about 132 kWp | about 218 MWh |
| 100 vehicles | 1,250 m² | about 435 | about 263 kWp | about 436 MWh |
| 200 vehicles | 2,500 m² | about 871 | about 527 kWp | about 873 MWh |
The production column is a theoretical figure in which the PVGIS optimum value (1,656 kWh/kWp) is used as an upper bound. On a low-tilt carport, production can be lower than this, but because there is no row-spacing problem, shading loss is reduced. Dirt and dust build up more on a flat surface than on a tilted one; for this reason a cleaning programme matters in Antalya's dry summer months, and a monitoring system shows drops in production early.
Carport solar panel structure: wind, foundations and corrosion
Because a carport solar panel structure is an open and wide surface, wind load is the deciding factor in design; the panel surface creates uplift and drag forces under wind. In typical panel datasheets wind load is stated as 2400 Pa and snow load as 5400 Pa. In MGM (Turkish State Meteorological Service) records, the fastest wind measured in Antalya is 43.2 m/s; the structure must be designed by a civil engineer for the region's wind loads. Column foundations are designed according to the soil survey; checks for sliding, overturning and pull-out must be included in the calculation. If the soil's bearing capacity is weak, foundation size grows and the investment item increases.
- Corrosion: In coastal facilities, hot-dip galvanising or a suitable coating and stainless fasteners are preferred.
- Vehicle clearance height: Determined by the type of vehicle that will park (car, minibus, shuttle).
- Column layout: Planned to suit parking modules and vehicle manoeuvres.
- Drainage: A rainwater collection and discharge system matters especially in the November-February rains.
- Fire safety: DC cable routes, isolators and fire-brigade access must be included in the design.
Panel installation must be carried out according to the manufacturer's installation manual; installation contrary to it may end the warranty. In hail events, panels and vehicles may be damaged; assess insurance coverage separately.
Does a bifacial (double-sided) panel make sense on a carport?
Glass-glass (G2G) bifacial panels can also collect energy from the rear face. In TommaTech's TT605-144TNB10 glass-glass model, the electrical values are the same as the single-sided model (23.42% efficiency); it offers a 25-year product and 30-year performance warranty. According to the datasheet, rear-side gain is given as 630 W at 5% and 750 W at 25%, based on a 600 W front power. Because there are vehicles and ground beneath a carport roof, the reflection reaching the rear face depends on the colour of the ground (albedo); it is higher on light-coloured ground. On dark asphalt, this gain is limited.
An additional advantage of a bifacial panel on a carport is that the glass-glass construction is more durable and, in some designs, lets part of the light through; however, in semi-transparent use production falls. We cover when bifacial technology makes sense in detail in our bifacial panel article.
Regulation: a separate structure, not a roof
A carport differs from a system added to a building's roof: it has its own supporting system. The permit exemption in planned areas is defined for solar systems built for the building's own needs that do not affect the structural system; we could not confirm official clarity on whether a carport falls within this scope and whether a building permit is needed. For this reason we recommend getting a written opinion from the municipality's zoning directorate.
On the electricity side, the rules are the same as for roof systems. Municipalities, industrial facilities and agricultural irrigation facilities can install plants with capacity up to twice their contracted capacity; other subscriber groups (such as hotels and shopping centres) are limited to contracted capacity. For non-residential facilities net metering is hourly from 1 May 2026; that is, facilities with high daytime self-consumption benefit most from the production. It is also a requirement that the main equipment has been manufactured within the last five years and that the system is not operated before acceptance. In the application process in Antalya, AEDAŞ's (the regional electricity distribution company) LUS platform is used.
Car park solar plants in Antalya: the hotel, shopping centre and factory approach
In tourism facilities the summer peak load (air conditioning, kitchen, pool) is heavy in the daytime and the car park is mostly full; a carport provides both shade and production. For details you can look at our solar energy for hotels and tourism facilities article. In factories, when roof area and structural capacity are limited, a carport provides additional capacity; for roof-focused investment you can look at our rooftop solar plant investment for businesses article.
Solar Nexo's website lists commercial building roof, industrial roof and ground-mounted references; a carport is a separate design discipline from these and requires engineering specific to each facility. For this reason a site survey specific to your facility is essential; structure, soil, vehicle circulation, the existing grid connection and fire safety are evaluated together. For general information on grid-connected systems you can look at our on-grid systems page.
Another design question in car park systems is whether future loads such as vehicle charging will be added; if the columns and cable ducts are planned to suit future expansion, additional cost falls. On the shading side, the shade a carport gives the vehicles lowers interior temperature in summer; however, the size of this effect depends on vehicle colour, glass and parking duration, and we do not give a numerical value. As for hail and storms, the roof can provide partial protection for vehicles but does not offer complete assurance.
Conclusion
Carport solar panels turn an idle car park into shade and electricity production, but require a separate structural investment. The production calculation is based on PVGIS data; the real determinants are wind load, foundations, corrosion and regulatory clarity. In hotel, shopping centre and factory car parks, high daytime self-consumption strengthens the project. You can request a free site survey for an assessment specific to your facility.
Frequently asked questions
What are carport solar panels?
A carport is a structure in which the roof of a steel frame built over a car park is covered with solar panels, both shading the vehicles and generating electricity. It consists of columns, beams and a panel-bearing system. It is preferred in hotels, shopping centres, factories and housing complexes with limited roof area but a large car park. It requires a separate structural investment.
How many kWp of carport can be installed for a 100-vehicle car park?
Assuming about 12.5 m² per parking space and 90% of the area covered with panels, about 435 panels of 605 W, that is about 263 kWp, can be installed. At the PVGIS optimum value, this capacity gives an upper-bound production of about 436 MWh a year. The real value varies with column spacing, vehicle height and tilt.
Is a building permit required for a carport?
Unlike a solar system added to a roof, a carport has its own supporting structure. We could not confirm official clarity on whether the permit exemption for roof systems covers a carport. For this reason it is recommended that you get a written opinion from the municipality's zoning directorate and find out about the structural project and other permits from the relevant authorities; you should not run the risk of an unlicensed structure.
Is a carport more expensive than a rooftop solar plant?
A carport needs an additional structure and foundations compared with a roof, which generally raises the initial investment. In return it removes the roof load-bearing problem, lets you choose orientation and tilt freely and shades the vehicles. Because amounts vary with the project, soil and wind load, no firm figure can be given without a current quotation; ask for the structure item separately in the quotation.
Is a bifacial panel useful on a carport?
Glass-glass bifacial panels also collect energy from the rear face. According to the TommaTech TT605-144TNB10 datasheet, rear-side gain is 630 W at 5% and 750 W at 25%, based on a 600 W front power. If the ground under a carport is dark, reflection is limited; on light-coloured ground the gain is higher. The decision depends on the site albedo and the cost difference.
Is a carport resistant to wind and hail?
In panel datasheets, typical wind load is given as 2400 Pa and snow load as 5400 Pa. The structure and foundations should be designed by a civil engineer for the region's wind load. The fastest wind in MGM records in Antalya is 43.2 m/s. There is no firm rate for hail risk; check the insurance coverage in the policy.
Does it make sense to build a carport on a hotel car park?
Hotels have heavy daytime air-conditioning, kitchen and pool consumption in summer and the car park is mostly full; a carport provides both shade and production. Because net metering for non-residential subscriptions is hourly from 1 May 2026, hotels with high daytime self-consumption benefit greatly from the production. Capacity is limited by contracted capacity.
Sources
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