Electric vehicles are growing more and more popular. From 2020 to 2022, the market for electric vehicles has risen from 4% to 14%. In 2023, it’s expected to jump to 18%.
In other words, at this point, it seems apparent that the vast majority of people will be driving an electric car within the foreseeable future. This is why, as a property manager, you should consider capitalizing on the fact.
How can you do this? One way is by implementing solar canopy EV charging. What’s a solar canopy, you ask, and how does it relate to an EV charging station?
We’re going to dive into that question below, showing you exactly why property managers should consider installing EV-charging solar canopies in the near future.
What Is a Solar Canopy?
You’ve likely come across parking canopies. These are essentially just large, solid surfaces propped up on a foundation. They provide shade and weather protection for cars, which are meant to be parked under them.
Well, a solar canopy is simply one of these canopies equipped with solar panels. This enables it to generate electricity, which can then be used for any electrical purpose.
In essence, a solar canopy is a car canopy that kills two birds with one stone. It not only provides protection for the vehicles that park underneath it, but it also allows for increased solar power generation, serving as the foundation for more solar panels than could be installed otherwise.
Using Solar Canopies to Power EV Charging
As noted above, solar canopies can be used to provide power to any electricity-driven entity. EV charging stations are no exception to this.
You can hook up the solar panels on your solar canopy to the charging stations installed below. This way, if someone on your property wants to charge their vehicle while shopping or at work, they can do so.
This is a substantial amenity to be able to provide on your property. It thus allows you to lease out your rental units at an increased rate.
The good thing is that because the solar panels are generating electricity you don’t have to pay for energy from the grid. Yes, it costs money to install solar panels. However, by being able to increase your rent prices, you’ll go on to cancel out those expenses in the long run.
Types of Solar Canopies to Consider
There are three primary types of solar canopies to consider. The type you choose is dependent on your specific situation. We’ll discuss the particulars of each type below.
Single-Tilt Canopy
The most affordable type is the single-tilt canopy. This is a canopy that only slopes in one direction. As such, it doesn’t require as much foundational reinforcement as the other types and it can be safely held in place with just single posts.
Single-tilted canopies can be aimed directly at the sun. Because of this, they do the best job of absorbing solar energy.
Dual-Tilt Canopy
The dual-tilt canopy is a canopy consisting of two inverted sides. They slope down toward one another, leaving a gap in between. This makes them great for cold-weather areas in which snow and ice commonly cover car canopies, as it enables said snow and ice to run off of them.
Take note that because the two sides of the canopy point inward toward one another, they don’t absorb sunlight as well as a single-tilt canopy. That said, they’re larger in surface area, and so they can be equipped with more solar panels. This enables them to generate more solar power overall, though at an increased cost.
Long-Span Canopy
A long-span canopy stretches over the entirety of a parking area. These large canopies provide tremendous weather protection. They’re also capable of holding a substantial number of solar panels.
However, they require a great deal of structural reinforcement. Therefore, they tend to be on the expensive side, so keep this in mind.
Another point to consider is that they don’t easily allow snow and ice to run off of them. As such, they’re generally not a great option for areas where winter weather is an issue.
The Advantages of Equipping Solar Canopies With EV Charging Stations
There are several benefits to doing this. For one, doing so offers an additional amenity to those who use your property: the ability to charge their electric vehicle.
Since this amenity is being offered, you can charge more for the rental. There’s extra money to be made in the long run as well.
In addition, solar canopies with EV charging stations are a hallmark of environmental sustainability. So, by having them on your property, you strengthen your reputation as a business that’s concerned about the environment.
If you’re interested in installing solar canopies and hooking them up to EV charging stations, learn more about our process here.
Interested in Implementing Solar Canopy EV Charging?
As you can see, solar canopy EV charging is an excellent solution for those who own electric vehicles. Not only does it save them money for the purpose of charging their cars, but it also adds convenience to their lives.
As a property manager, you can benefit from this by implementing solar canopy EV charging on your properties. This gives tenants the incentive to pay more for rent and allows you to make more money.
Interested in installing a solar canopy with EV charging capabilities? If so, and if you’re in the state of Indiana, we here at Huston Solar are the people to see.
Contact us now to discuss your needs or give us a call at give us a call at (765) 474-6115!
