Market Overview: Carport Solar Transitions from “Functional Add-on” to “Energy Hub”

In 2024, the carport solar mounting system market achieved dual breakthroughs in technology and application. With the continuous rise in global electric vehicle ownership and increasing land scarcity, solar carports—as an efficient “dual-use” solution—are transforming from an “optional configuration” for commercial parking lots into a “standard component” of urban energy infrastructure.

From Schletter‘s single-column large-span system in Germany to GoodWe’s residential BIPV carport in China, from the earthquake-resistant aluminum carport in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, to the 1.153MW “PV-storage-charging” integrated project by Huanghe Xinye, the 2024 solar carport market exhibits distinct characteristics of lightweight design, modular structure, and functional integration.

Part One: New Product Launches – International Giants Enter the Carport Arena

1.1 Schletter SunRide: Single-Column Design Frees Up Parking Space

In March 2024, global PV mounting giant Schletter Group officially launched its modular solar carport system SunRide, featuring a “single-column self-supporting structure” as its core selling point, available in single-panel or dual-panel configurations across all international markets.

SunRide Key Specifications:

Schletter CEO Florian Roos stated: “SunRide enables operators to maximize the value of every square meter of parking space — it‘s a parking lot, a parking management system, and a solar power plant all in one.”

Product Highlights:

No Column Obstruction: Vehicles can be parked parallel or in a herringbone pattern, accommodating more vehicles in the same space

Foundation Flush with Ground: Does not interfere with vehicle passage

Optional Features: Trapezoidal metal sheet rain protection, gutters and downpipes, lighting, advertising space, cable management, and inverter mounting brackets

Global Experience: Schletter has installed approximately 90 MW of solar carport systems worldwide, with over 15 years of project experience

1.2 T.Werk HELIOS Series: Y-Column and Single-Side Support Lines Progress Together

In April 2024, German Bavarian PV mounting manufacturer T.Werk GmbH announced the expansion of its HELIOS carport product line. In addition to the existing alpha series (W-shaped support), the new beta series (central Y-shaped support) and gamma series (single-side edge support) were added, debuting at Intersolar Europe 2024.

New Product Features:

HELIOS beta: Central Y-shaped support with integrated central rainwater gutter

HELIOS gamma: Single-side edge support, suitable for corner areas of commercial parking lots

Retrofit Adaptability: Plug-in version available, allowing replacement of trapezoidal metal sheets with double-glass modules

Safety Design: Columns positioned between parking area and driveway, effectively preventing vehicle collisions

Product Warranty: 12 years

Maximum Clear Height: 3 meters, tilt angle 10°, compatible with various module sizes

T.Werk founder Markus Ziegler commented: “Customers can freely expand the number of columns according to their needs and design personalized parking spaces and widths. Our new solutions create maximum flexibility.”

Part Two: BIPV Integration – Breakthroughs in Waterproofing and Aesthetics

2.1 Mibet BIPV Carport: Aluminum Structure + Multi-Layer Waterproofing Exported Overseas

In July 2024, Chinese mounting manufacturer Mibet announced that its BIPV solar carport system had been successfully exported to Germany, Indonesia, and other regions. The system uses an aluminum alloy mounting structure, balancing practicality and aesthetics.

Germany Project Features:

Charcoal gray carport appearance, matching local aesthetics

Creates “PV aesthetics” — convenient parking combined with efficient solar energy conversion

Indonesia “PV-Storage Integrated” Solution:

Integrates building with PV and storage, transmitting power to charging piles

Meets energy storage needs for new energy vehicle charging

Waterproofing Technology Breakthrough:

Three-in-One Waterproofing: Module drainage + gutter water conduction + structural waterproofing

Effectively prevents leakage and infiltration

Tilt angle 5-15°, adaptable to wind speeds of 45 m/s and snow/wind loads of 1.2 kN/m²

Quick-assembly structure, fully compatible with different PV modules

2.2 GoodWe Residential Carport: Lightweight + Hurricane Resistant

In November 2024, GoodWe‘s BIPV division launched a solar carport product for the residential market, emphasizing “lightweight, modular, ready-to-install.”

Product Specifications:

Technical Parameters:

Clear height: 2000-2500 mm, peak height: 3000-3500 mm

Modules: 535W Polaris double-glass modules based on N-type TOPCon technology

Conversion efficiency: 21.5%, power density: 215 W/m²

All-aluminum alloy structure, adjustable column height to accommodate different site slopes

Integrated waterproofing — clean appearance without sealants

Wind resistance: 240 km/h — capable of withstanding extreme weather such as hurricanes

A GoodWe spokesperson revealed: “This product offers retailers gross margins approaching 30%, representing a significant advancement in residential solar solutions.”

2.3 Grace Solar GS Carport System: 100% Aluminum + JIS Certification Leading in Japan

In June 2024, Grace Solar announced that its GS carport system had been successfully applied to a PV carport project in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. As the first Chinese PV mounting company to obtain Japanese JIS certification, Grace Solar conducted specialized R&D tailored to Japan‘s earthquake-prone and typhoon-prone characteristics.

GS Carport System Features:

100% Aluminum: Aesthetic appearance, excellent corrosion resistance

Concrete Strip Foundation: Lightweight yet sturdy overall structure, easy installation

Fixed Bottom Frame Design: When the carport height is relatively high, the locking frame construction becomes more convenient and faster

Rail-to-Beam Clamp Fixation: Reduces installation steps, improves work efficiency

Support Column Groove Design: Can be connected with jackets or bases for quick and simple installation

Grace Solar stated that the company has established a branch in Kyushu, Japan, and a service center in Tokyo, covering the entire Japanese market and providing technical support and after-sales service to local partners.

Part Three: Flexible Mount Applications – Large-Span and Complex Terrain Solutions

In 2024, flexible mounting systems received increasing attention for carport applications. Compared to traditional mounts, flexible mounts offer significant advantages in space utilization, cost control, and construction efficiency.

Advantages of Flexible Mounts for Carport Applications:

The application of flexible mounting systems is driving solar carports from “standardized” to “customized,” providing optimal solutions for different site conditions.

Part Four: Innovation Directions – Portable Folding and Smart Energy

4.1 China Railway Construction Files Patent for Integrated PV Carport: Foldable Portable Design

In December 2024, the China National Intellectual Property Administration revealed that China Railway Construction Electrification Bureau Group had filed a patent for an “Integrated PV Carport Device” (Publication No. CN 119083792 A).

Patent Innovations:

Uses a transverse expansion support module to control the lateral movement of two support frames, driving transverse folding of PV modules

Pulls the longitudinal retraction rope to fold the support frames in a Z-shaped pattern

Folds the PV modules and support frame as a whole above the mounting base, with the entire device taking a box shape

Convenient for portability and temporary use

This patent opens new possibilities for solar carports in temporary sites, emergency scenarios, outdoor activities, and other applications.

4.2 Huanghe Xinye 1.153MW Project: Pure South-Facing Herringbone Structure + Smart Management

On July 3, 2024, Huanghe Company Xinye‘s integrated smart energy parking lot project achieved full-capacity grid connection, with a total installed capacity of 1.153 MW covering an area of 6,383 square meters.

Project Highlights:

Structural Innovation: Adopts a pure south-facing single-slope herringbone structure, offering better power generation advantages than the industry-common single-column V-shape

Independent R&D: Fifth-generation flexible aluminum alloy cables + Huanghe Company‘s third-generation inverter integration platform

Supporting Facilities: 10 120kW DC fast chargers + 34 7kW standard chargers

Smart Management: Remote control + mobile App + cloud data processing, real-time monitoring of power, voltage, and other parameters

Remote Control: Enables remote control and management of the PV carport and charging piles

The project, consisting of 2,471 PV modules, not only provides shade for employee vehicles but also solves employee vehicle charging needs through the PV-storage-charging integrated model, while increasing the proportion of green electricity on the site and reducing electricity costs.

Part Five: Market Trends – Five Major Directions Steering Industry Transformation

1. Large Span and Space Optimization
Innovative structures such as single-column design (Schletter SunRide) and Y-shaped supports (T.Werk HELIOS beta) are driving continuous improvement in carport space utilization.

2. BIPV Waterproofing Integration
“Three-in-one” technology combining module drainage, gutter water conduction, and structural waterproofing (Mibet) and integrated waterproofing (GoodWe) are becoming standard features for high-end carports.

3. Lightweight and Weather-Resistant Materials
The use of 100% aluminum carports (Grace Solar) and magnesium-aluminum-zinc coated steel reduces weight while improving corrosion resistance.

4. PV-Storage-Charging Integration
The integrated energy model combining solar carports, energy storage, charging piles, and smart management (Huanghe Xinye, Mibet Indonesia project) is becoming mainstream.

5. Scenario Diversification
Extending from commercial parking lots to residential communities (GoodWe), temporary sites (CREC patent), and overseas markets (Grace Solar Japan, Mibet Germany/Indonesia).

Future Outlook

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the solar carport mounting system market is expected to maintain rapid growth. With the continued increase in EV penetration, the maturation of the PV-storage-charging integrated model, and policy support for green retrofitting of parking spaces, solar carports are transitioning from “optional” to “standard.”

Technological innovation will continue to focus on several directions: large-scale application of flexible mounts on complex terrains, further maturity of BIPV waterproofing technology, deep integration of smart management systems with AI algorithms, and the promotion of portable carports for emergency and temporary scenarios.

In a Nutshell

In 2024, solar carport mounting systems — from Schletter‘s central single column to T.Werk’s Y-shaped support, from GoodWe‘s residential lightweight solution to Grace Solar’s earthquake-resistant aluminum system for Japan — are turning every square meter of parking space into a green energy production base.