Main content:
The rapid growth of EVs is driving the construction of charging system infrastructure. In order to solve the problem of insufficient infrastructure, photovoltaic carport came into being. This is a green charging mode that integrates photovoltaic power generation, electric energy storage, and vehicle charging and supports each other in harmony.
The photovoltaic carport can realize the spontaneous self-consumption of energy, surplus electricity storage, peak-valley arbitrage, etc., helping society promote the use of clean energy and move towards a true zero-carbon travel era. This article will introduce the style, structure, functions and benefits of photovoltaic carport.
1. Overview of the photovoltaic carport
Photovoltaic carport, as the name suggests, is a combination of photovoltaic and carport roofs, which is the simplest combination of photovoltaic and architecture. As a new technology for photovoltaic power generation and electric home energy storage, it not only fulfills all the functions of a traditional carport, but also brings benefits to the owner for power generation.
The photovoltaic carport can use solar energy to provide clean energy charging for EVs, while alleviating the impact of charging piles on the regional power grid, and improving the operating efficiency and economic benefits of the system. Generally, steel structure brackets are adopted, which are simple, generous, fashionable, beautiful, and clean and environmentally friendly new energy, effectively alleviating the environmental and energy pressure of society.
2. Features of photovoltaic carport
The construction of photovoltaic carport can reduce the city's electricity pressure and use the idle area of the carport. In addition to supplying vehicles with the electricity generated by the photovoltaic carport, excess electricity can also be sold and stored through solar battery, slowing down the city's electricity pressure.
Energy saving at the same time brings income to the construction of photovoltaic carport, changing the single role of traditional carports. The photovoltaic carport can not only shade the vehicle from the sun and rain, but also bring benefits to power generation, achieving a win-win situation of social and environmental benefits.
Make full use of the original site to provide green and environmentally friendly energy, and the photovoltaic carport is a perfect combination of carport building and photovoltaic power generation technology.
3. The system composition of the photovoltaic carport
Specifically, the photovoltaic carport consists of the following parts:
- Photovoltaic products: converting solar energy into DC electricity.
- Inverter: converts DC electrical energy into AC power and runs with the grid on or off the grid.
- Energy storage system: store excess electrical energy through lithium battery and release it when needed.
- Charging pile: convert AC energy into DC electric energy and provide fast or slow charging for EVs.
- Smart energy management platform: through data collection, analysis, display, control, optimization and other functions, it realizes remote monitoring and operation and maintenance management of the carport system.
4. What are the types of photovoltaic carport
Photovoltaic carport comes in different styles and can be selected according to site conditions and customer preferences. Based on various kind of aspects, we can explain it in the following points:
● Number of columns
It can be divided into single column and double column. Single column saves space, convenient parking and simple installation. The double column structure is stable, strong wind resistance, saving steel, and more economical.
● Shape of the slope
it can be divided into single slope and Double slope. The single slope structure is simple, easy to install, and suitable for north-south arrangement; Double slope drainage is concentrated, convenient on rainy days, suitable for east-west arrangement.
● Structural part application
It can be divided into additional type and component type. The add-on type is suitable for the modification of existing carports. The component type uses photovoltaic modules as structural parts of the carport, which is simple and beautiful.
● Different functions
It can be divided into smart carport and conventional carport. The conventional carport has only the function of photovoltaic power generation. The smart carport adds functions such as energy storage, charging piles, and intelligent management, with better economic and environmental benefits and more comprehensive service functions.
● Type of parking space
The two-car carport and multi-parking carport. Most of them are modular design, can be used alone or in multiple combinations, easy to expand, as few as a few parking spaces, as many as hundreds of parking spaces, strong flexibility.
● Type of module
It can be divided into ordinary photovoltaic module carport and double glass photovoltaic module carport. The use of ordinary photovoltaic modules, the overall cost is low, the payback period is short. Using double glass photovoltaic modules, the overall cost is slightly higher, but the overall shape is more beautiful.
5. Advantages of photovoltaic carport
Compared to traditional charging methods, photovoltaic carport has the following advantages:
● Environment-friendly
Use solar energy to provide clean energy charging for EVs, reduce carbon emissions and pollutant emissions, and promote carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.
● Cost-effective
The energy storage system is used to realize the spontaneous self-consumption of energy, the storage of surplus electricity, reduce the cost of electricity, and improve the operating efficiency and economic benefits of the system.
● Well-arranged
Photovoltaic products can be used as structural components of the carport, which is coordinated with the form and style of the carport to increase the aesthetics and brand image of the carport.
● Flexible installation
The photovoltaic carport can be designed with different styles and scales according to different site conditions and customer needs, and adapt to various parking lots.
6. The overall structural material of the carport
● Concrete photovoltaic carport
The concrete photovoltaic carport adopts an underground poured foundation, and the concrete photovoltaic carport roof adopts pre-poured U-bolts to make a stable connection with the front and rear columns. Then the C-beam is installed to meet the requirements of the wind load, and then the photovoltaic bracket and photovoltaic modules are installed on the C-beam, which can lay the components at the best angle to ensure maximum power generation. Its main advantages are:
- Design a garage long enough for vehicles to dock.
- The beam top is high, which does not affect the normal operation and work of vehicles and pedestrians.
- The concrete carport structure has good sealing, good durability, strong wind resistance and stable structure.
- The long and narrow concrete pillars do not take up garage space and are convenient for vehicles to park.
- The concrete carport has a simple structure, easy installation, and fully meets the requirements of use.
However, its main disadvantages are:
- The construction period is long, and it takes a long time to harden due to the solidification characteristics of the concrete.
- The cost of the project is high, and the operation is difficult due to the high price of concrete and the need to combine processes such as molding.
- The utilization rate of the carport is not very high, because the installed component capacity is relatively reduced.
● Aluminum profile structure photovoltaic carport
There are 3 sets of columns on the ground of the aluminum profile structure photovoltaic carport structure, and the lowest point of the inclined aluminum profile structure shed is more than 2.5 meters from the ground. Its main advantages are:
- The minimum height of the carport is greater than 2.5 meters.
- No on-site welding work, drilling.
However, its main disadvantages are:
- The carport is an all-aluminum structure, and the aluminum profile of the carport needs to be customized with molds, which is more expensive.
- The shape is not beautiful enough, and combined with the actual installation photos, the aesthetics of such carports should be discounted.
- Waterproofing has always been difficult to solve.
● Steel structure photovoltaic carport
There are 2 sets of steel columns on the ground in the form of a single column of the steel structure photovoltaic carport, and the lowest point of the inclined steel structure shed is more than 2.5 meters from the ground. Its main advantages are:
- The minimum height of the carport is greater than 2.5 meters.
- The design takes into account the specifications and loads used.
- The appearance decoration is more beautiful.
- Installation is less limited, and only unilateral excavation is required.
However, its main disadvantages are:
- The amount of steel used has increased.
- The civil foundation is large, and the cost is relatively increased.
- Waterproof treatment is more troublesome.
7. Application case of photovoltaic carport
● Single support column type photovoltaic carport
The whole is made of steel structural material, the structure is simple and does not need to be customized, to meet the needs of most photovoltaic carport, and the overall installation and construction period is short.
● Double support column type photovoltaic carport
Compared with single-parking single-support column-type photovoltaic carport, the overall structure is safer and more stable, and the wind resistance is stronger, but the amount of steel used in photovoltaic carport has become larger, and the overall cost has increased compared with single-parking single-support column-type photovoltaic carport. And the overall waterproof treatment is more troublesome.
8. Conclusion
The photovoltaic carport is an innovative smart energy facility that uses solar energy to provide clean energy charging for EVs. At the same time, the goal of spontaneous self-consumption of energy is achieved. The photovoltaic carport has the advantages of environmental friendliness, economic efficiency, diverse functions, beautiful appearance, and flexible installation.
The photovoltaic carport integrates photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, charging piles, smart energy management and other functions, providing standardized solutions, integrated design, and one-stop services. Smart carport is the development form of photovoltaic carport in the future and an effective way to promote the application of new energy.
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