Photovoltaic canopies: sizing and specification

The ability to generate the electricity that a building consumes by using photovoltaic panels is a viable option today technically, financially and administratively. Royal Decree 244/2019 also lets users decide what to do with their electricity: adjust production to consumption by using a zero feed-in device, or maximize their production and receive financial compensation for any surplus energy produced. This would pay back for the investment faster and yield environmental benefits.

All that is needed is roof space, although in many cases, large outdoor parking areas are available that provide a perfect setting to install photovoltaic canopies. Facilities that consume electricity mainly during the day (department stores, hospitals, hotels, industries, service stations, etc.) could also add energy production for recharging electric vehicles. This would drastically increase the economic savings by replacing fossil fuels (with an average cost of €10/100 km) with self-produced electricity (with a cost of no more than €1/100 km). In a market environment as competitive as today's, investing in photovoltaic technology lets companies greatly reduce their electricity bill. As a result, companies can optimize part of their fixed operating costs and get fiscal benefits on certain taxes, such as their property tax.

Set up your car park to generate your own renewable energy. Generate your own energy during daylight hours to supply part of your installation's electricity demand while increasing the satisfaction of all your customers and employees. Take advantage of your parking space to install as many charging posts as you need.

To achieve these objectives from the synergy between net energy generation and electric vehicle charging, the best solution is Circutor's PVingPARK photovoltaic canopy. This photovoltaic pergola is designed and certified to integrate photovoltaic modules and electric vehicle charging points. It offers a solution to both needs in a single electrical structure.

Photovoltaic self-supply has gone from being a dream to becoming a reality, one that provides many benefits to those who decide to implement it. To help you join this trend, your best choice is to install our PVingPARK photovoltaic canopy.

Sizing a photovoltaic canopy: key factors

Distribution and number of spaces available

Simple canopies are used to cover a single row of vehicles, while dual canopies cover two rows. The length of the structure will depend on the number of spaces to be covered. All the PVingPARK canopy models are designed with the standard European space width of 2.5 meters as a reference.

Sizes for simple models PVS2 and dual models PVS4 

Photovoltaic power of the canopy

The photovoltaic power is determined by the number of canopy spaces installed. Due to compatibility considerations with the rest of the structure, the PVingPARK canopies accept photovoltaic modules with 60/120 cells measuring a maximum of 1698 x 1005 mm. A photovoltaic power per module of 335 Wp yields a simple ratio of 2.5 kWp per canopy space, which provides an initial indication of the amount of photovoltaic power associated with the canopy. The 2.5 kWp/space represents an approximate theoretical output of 10 kWh/day/space, assuming a theoretical geographical location with four Peak Sun Hours (PSH)

Example: A PVS2 canopy with 4 spaces has 5 kWp, and a PVS4 canopy with 8 spaces has 20 kWp.

PVS. Modular single-tilt canopies with integrated EV charging points

Configuration of the canopy and support columns

The canopy design allows both the PVS2 and PVS4 models to be set up for distances of 5 m or 7.5 m between columns, which is equivalent to 2 and 3 spaces, respectively, for a simple PVS2 solution. Depending on the total length or number of spaces, there are pre-set configurations for certain distances. It is always desirable to have a distance between columns of 7.5 m, since having fewer columns translates into lower structural and installation costs (construction and associated mechanical assembly).

Type	D=5m	D=7.5 m
PVS2	2 spaces of 2,5 m	3 spaces of 2,5 m
PVS4	4 spaces of 2,5 m	6 spaces of 2,5 m

Geographical location

After deciding on the model and configuration of the canopy to install, it is necessary to verify whether the solution is structurally suitable for the site's climatic loads, as per the requirements of the building code. Three essential parameters have to be verified for the calculation: wind zone, snow climate zone and roughness length (geographical specification). Circutor provides certificates for the different models and configurations that specify the use limits for each case. All the models have been certified to comply with Spain's building code (CTE). It is essential to review these certificates before settling on a model and configuration for a specific location.

It should be noted that in areas with high wind or snow loads (especially in locations near the sea), configurations with a 7.5 m distance between columns are not sufficiently strong, requiring a 5-m distance instead.

Map of Wind Areas in Spain specification as per the CTE 

Electric vehicle charging

There is a growing demand for charging infrastructure, both on public roads and in private institutions. Having a single solution for a photovoltaic generation system with charging equipment simplifies the supply, installation and assembly of all the components. The charging points compatible with PVingPARK canopies are the Circutor Wallbox charging boxes, available with single-phase 7.4 kW or three-phase 22 kW (32 A) outlets. The number of recharging points that can be integrated into the structure depends on how many columns the canopy has.

The charging points compatible with PVingPARK canopies are the Circutor Wallbox charging boxes

Energy-wise, if the equivalent theoretical production of 10 kWh/day per space is fully allocated for vehicle charging, the installation could provide up to 66 km/day of travel distance to an electric vehicle. This assumes an average driving consumption of 150 Wh/km.

Some reference projects

Photovoltaic canopies PVS4

97.2 kWp

153 MWh / year

Photovoltaic canopies PVS2-R

15 kWp

24 MWh / year

Photovoltaic canopies PVS4

37 kWp

58 MWh / year

Circutor offers a comprehensive solution to promote photovoltaic self-supply and electric vehicle charging. A PVingPARK canopy makes it possible to satisfy all the objectives, but there are some factors to take into account, most notably: the distribution and number of spaces, the power, its configuration, location and number of charging points.

With Circutor's PVingPARK, you can start producing your own energy and use it to charge electric vehicles.