In 2023, as global investment in renewable energy and low‑carbon infrastructure grew, a solution known as the carbon steel solar photovoltaic (PV) carport was rapidly deployed worldwide. These structures not only provide shade and shelter for vehicles but also generate clean electricity through PV modules mounted on the roof.

Carbon steel, with its high strength and good formability, became the top choice for the support structure of large‑scale PV carports in 2023. Below are real projects completed both internationally and in China during the year.

Overseas Projects: Tailored for Local Conditions with Robustness

1. Bahrain – 1.8MW in a Desert & Coastal Environment

In August 2023, a 1.8 MW PV carport covering about 15,700 m² was successfully commissioned in Bahrain. Located in a tropical desert climate with long, intense sunshine and close to the sea, the site faced high wind loads and sand/dust – demanding excellent corrosion resistance and structural rigidity.

The supplier, Mibet, selected hot‑dip galvanized carbon steel for the main structure. The galvanized coating met the corrosion resistance requirements of the coastal area, while the strength of carbon steel ensured stability under a wind load of 44.44 m/s. The carport is expected to generate about 2,951,370 kWh annually. Its single‑column design creates an open parking space while maintaining stability.

2. Ghana – 450kW Fast Installation for Commercial Use

On November 8, 2023, a 450 kW carbon steel solar carport was completed in Ghana, Africa. Designed for large commercial or industrial facilities, the elevated structure generates power without consuming extra land.

The project manager noted that carbon steel ensures long‑term durability and resilience under Ghana’s local climate. The system not only provides shade for many vehicles but also reduces operating costs through grid‑connected or self‑consumption power, and is considered a typical case of Africa’s transition to renewables.

3. Hiroshima, Japan – Zero‑Carbon Corporate Site with Aesthetics

In early 2023, a PV carport using carbon steel supports was put into use at an industrial park parking lot in Hiroshima, Japan. The design features single columns and a high clearance (3.14 m), creating spacious double‑row parking while maintaining visual appeal.

Given Japan’s strict waterproofing requirements, the project added color‑steel‑tile clamps on the carbon steel structure, achieving a non‑penetrating design with excellent waterproof performance. The solution not only reduces high temperatures in open parking but also enables “self‑consumption with surplus energy fed into the grid” for low‑carbon goals.

Domestic Projects (China): From Government Buildings to Automotive Industry

1. Hailar, Inner Mongolia – Government “Carbon Steward” Project

In June 2023, the Party and Government Office Building in Hailar District launched a “Carbon Steward” distributed PV carport project. With a total investment of about 5 million RMB, the project built a ~2,000 m² steel‑structured distributed PV carport, together with smart EV chargers.

As a demonstration project for public institutions, construction started in June 2023 and was completed in September of the same year. It is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by 587 tons per year, providing empirical experience for using carbon steel PV carports in cold northern regions.

2. Chengdu, Sichuan – Volvo Car Factory Supporting Facilities

In 2023, Volvo Cars’ Chengdu plant initiated the second phase of its PV project – steel structure carport and foundation works. Although the bid award was announced in 2024, the core tendering and preparation work took place in 2023‑2024.

The project included steel structure and foundation construction, procured through open tender. The winning bidder, Chongqing Xinronghe Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., quoted about 5.96 million RMB. This shows that large manufacturers were actively using carbon steel carport structures to drive green energy transformation at their plants in 2023.

Technical Trends: Why Carbon Steel?

Looking at the 2023 project cases, the widespread use of carbon steel in PV carports stems from several technical advantages:

Strong environmental adaptability – Whether in Bahrain’s humid, salty air or Hailar’s low temperatures, hot‑dip galvanized carbon steel (e.g., Q235B) with ≥65μm galvanized coating resists corrosion and can last over 25 years.

Load‑bearing and span advantages – Compared with aluminum, carbon steel has higher strength. Therefore, 2023 designs increasingly favour “large span, fewer columns” (e.g., double‑V or single‑column layouts), maximising parking space and improving user experience.

Cost‑effectiveness – For projects above 1 MW, carbon steel offers competitive raw material and fabrication costs while delivering equal structural strength relative to aluminum.

These real 2023 examples confirm that carbon steel solar carports are no longer a concept, but a mature infrastructure solution integrating power generation, parking functionality, and architectural aesthetics.