1. Steady Market Growth with Strong Global and Chinese Demand

According to the latest study by Global Market Insights Inc., the global solar carport market size was estimated at approximately **US$978𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑜𝑛\ast \ast 𝑖𝑛2024,𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑈𝑆$millioninandisprojectedtogrowfromUS1.08 billion in 2025 to US$2.67 billion by 2034, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6% during the forecast period. The Asia‑Pacific region is the largest solar carport market worldwide, while Latin America is regarded as the fastest‑growing region.

In the global commercial segment, the commercial solar carport market was approximately US$998𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛2024𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑈𝑆$millioninandisexpectedtoreachUS2.914 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of approximately 11.3%.

In the Chinese market, solar carports are entering a phase of policy support and accelerated development. In 2024, multiple local governments issued policies promoting building‑integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). For example, in August 2024, Guangdong Province published the “Pilot Work Plan for Promoting ‘PV + Building’ Applications at the County Level”, selecting 25 counties (cities, districts) as the first batch of pilot zones. It requires each pilot zone to add at least 2 demonstration projects of “PV + building” by the end of 2024, with an annual newly installed capacity of no less than 50,000 kW, and a total annual newly installed capacity of not less than 1.25 million kW across all pilot zones in the province. Meanwhile, Anhui Province issued the “Implementation Plan for Pilot Demonstration and Promotion of BIPV in Anhui Province”, promoting high‑quality BIPV industrial development at the provincial level.

These supportive policies provide a solid foundation for the rapid growth of the PV carport industry. Market research institutes point out that growth of solar carports is driven by multiple factors, including the rising penetration of electric vehicles, government incentives and renewable energy policies, and efficient land use combined with sustainable development goals.

2. Domestic Companies Accelerate Deployment; Large‑Scale PV Carport Projects Are Grid‑Connected

In 2024, major domestic enterprises and institutions actively deployed PV carport projects, with a number of representative projects being completed and put into operation.

The 11.5 MW distributed PV carport project at the Kia Yancheng No. 2 Plant completed its tendering process in November 2024, with a winning bid amount of approximately RMB 23.05 million. Zhejiang Jiasuo Smart Energy Co., Ltd. won the bid and the project is scheduled for completion in 65 days. It has become one of the larger‑scale PV carport projects in China in 2024.

The integrated smart energy parking lot project of Qinghai Huanghe Xinxie Co., Ltd. was fully connected to the grid and put into operation in July 2024, with a total installed capacity of 1.153 MW. The project adopts a pure south‑facing single‑slope “person‑shaped” structure PV carport design, which offers better power generation efficiency than the conventional single‑column V‑shaped structure used in the industry. The project utilised self‑developed fifth‑generation flexible aluminium alloy cables and third‑generation inverter integrated platforms – more than 28 km of aluminium alloy cables were used – providing good practice for reducing investment costs and building a demonstration quality project. It is also equipped with 10 120 kW DC fast chargers and 34 7 kW standard chargers, effectively integrating PV carport with charging facilities.

The distributed PV carport at Yantai Bus West Station was officially put into use in November 2024, with a total installed capacity of 907.5 kW, using 1,650 PV modules. It generates an average of about 1.072 million kWh of electricity per year, equivalent to an annual CO₂ emission reduction of approximately 1,011 tonnes. The project replaces the traditional carport roof with PV modules, operating under a “self‑generation for self‑use, surplus to grid” model, generating both economic and environmental benefits.

The N‑type high‑efficiency bifacial BIPV carport built by LinYang New Energy won the “Terawatt Diamond Award” at the 17th SNEC PV Power Expo. The carport covers an area of 9,800 m², has an installed capacity of approximately 1.5 MW, accommodates about 320 parking spaces, and generates 1.8 million kWh annually, fully demonstrating the comprehensive advantages of N‑type bifacial high‑efficiency modules – high power generation, high reliability and high cost‑effectiveness.

In addition, Anhui Kuaixiao PV Power Generation Co., Ltd. plans to invest RMB 1.6 million in Wuhu to build a 400 kW PV carport power station, utilising about 2,500 m² of parking area. It is expected to generate about 440,000 kWh per year, with an estimated annual sales revenue of RMB 396,000. The 5.8 MWp distributed PV power generation (Yiwu Jingcheng) project of Yiwu Jingyuan Solar was also fully connected to the grid in June 2024, with a first‑year total generation of about 5.86 million kWh, saving RMB 1.72 million in electricity costs.

3. Continuous Innovation in Design: BIPV and Smart Solutions Become Mainstream

In 2024, PV carports have seen notable innovation in structural design and functional integration.

From a structural perspective, based on the number of columns, they can be classified into single‑column (simple structure, easy construction), multi‑column (high stability, good wind resistance) and BIPV waterproof (using drainage channels to solve water leakage). Based on slope shape, categories include single‑slope (suitable for small/medium parking lots) and double‑slope (suitable for large commercial parking lots, better PV utilisation).

In terms of technical trends, BIPV integration has become the mainstream solution. For example, in the Yantai Bus West Station project, the carport roof uses PV modules instead of a traditional roof, achieving power generation while providing shade and rain protection. The pure south‑facing single‑slope person‑shaped structure used by Huanghe Xinxie achieves better generation than the conventional single‑column V‑shaped structure.

On functional integration, solar‑storage‑charging integrated solutions are being deployed at scale. In June 2024, the first solar‑storage‑charging PV carport station in the public parking lot of the Pingcheng District government, Datong City, was put into operation, covering an area of 1,718 m², with a PV capacity of 386.28 kW and equipped with 10 480 kW fast chargers, achieving a high degree of integration between energy production and consumption. In the Xiaonanzhuang community of Beijing’s Haidian District, the PV carport is paired with solid‑state batteries, storing surplus daytime electricity for charging EVs at night and connecting to the state grid for intelligent regulation.

Shenzhen Topraysolar Co., Ltd. has stated that it already has the capability to design, build and operate integrated PV carport stations with energy storage and EV charging piles. It has built a 30 kW demonstration PV carport project with storage and EV chargers in its Shenzhen Guangming industrial base, and has successfully developed integrated solar‑storage‑charging‑swapping technology for PV carport stations.

Intelligent management has also become an important development direction. The Huanghe Xinxie project is equipped with a smart management system that combines remote control, a mobile App, cloud data processing and other technologies, enabling real‑time monitoring of power, voltage and other parameters, as well as remote control and management.

4. Continuous Cost Optimisation – Economic Viability Becomes Clearer

The economic viability of PV carports is becoming increasingly evident. According to industry data analysis, the total cost per square metre – including steel structure and PV system – is approximately RMB 900‑1,000. Compared with ordinary membrane‑structure carports which cost only RMB 200‑300 less per square metre, the extra cost can be recovered through power generation revenue.

Taking specific projects as examples: the 400 kW PV carport project for Jiefeng Automotive Powertrain involved a total investment of RMB 1.6 million (RMB 1.4 million for equipment), generates about 440,000 kWh annually, and achieves estimated annual sales revenue of about RMB 396,000. The Yiwu Jingyuan 5.8 MWp project is expected to generate about 139 million kWh over its 25‑year life, saving about RMB 40.77 million in electricity costs.

Behind this cost optimisation is, on the one hand, the continuing decline in PV module prices, and on the other hand, improvements in structural design and construction efficiency. For example, Huanghe Xinxie effectively controlled investment costs by using self‑developed aluminium alloy cables and inverter platforms.

5. Expanding Application Scenarios – Community & Public Welfare Projects Take Root

The application scenarios for PV carports are extending from industrial parks and commercial areas to public welfare fields such as residential communities and government public parking lots.

At the Tiefengyuan residential community in Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, a PV charging carport has been built. The carport has a steel frame, a total of 30 parking spaces and a PV‑integrated roof. It generates 50‑80 kWh per day, enough to charge 30 e‑bikes simultaneously. The smart chargers feature functions such as automatic power‑off when fully charged, overload/over‑temperature alarms, and delayed shut‑off after full charge.

The PV carport in the Xiaonanzhuang community of Haidian District, Beijing, solved a long‑standing problem: an ageing power supply line that often caused power cuts for night‑time charging. It is estimated that this PV carport will generate 51,000 kWh per year and reduce CO₂ emissions by 30 tonnes.

6. International Market Expansion – Cross‑Border Cooperation Projects Take Shape

The wave of solar carports is also sweeping the globe. In October 2024, the largest PV carport in Lithuania was officially put into operation, with an installed capacity of 250 kW, connected to 40 EV charging piles. The system uses JinkoSolar’s 580 W bifacial double‑glass modules. The underground concealed infrastructure ensures that parking spaces are used normally, and the system can charge approximately 4,000 EVs annually.

Furthermore, French solar tile manufacturer SunStyle International partnered with PV metal structure builder Triangle Horizon to design an aesthetically integrated solar carport for an environmental protection zone. The carport uses a steel structure and offers six configurations, from Y‑shaped columns to butterfly designs and half‑canopies, with various powder‑coated colour finishes. The solar tiles are available in black, terracotta and grey, blending harmoniously with the natural landscape and local architectural styles, meeting French landscape integration incentive requirements.

Chinese enterprises are also actively expanding overseas. As the first Chinese PV mounting structure manufacturer to obtain Japanese JIS certification, Guo Run Neng (Guorun New Energy)