A freestanding 2-car solar carport roughly sized to shelter two parked vehicles side by side while supporting an approx. 10 kW photovoltaic array on the roof and a wall- or post-mounted EV charger.
A homeowner, small property owner, or light commercial site that wants shaded parking, on-site solar generation, and practical EV charging without building a full garage.
Cars park beneath the roof, solar panels produce electricity during daylight, and an EV charger serves one vehicle at a time or a scheduled charging plan. The structure is intended for normal passenger vehicles only.
Provide weather cover, reduce daytime heat gain in parked vehicles, offset electric use with solar production, and create a clean, durable structure that fits a residential lot or small business parking area.
| Spec | Estimate | Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | approx. 24 | ft | Enough to cover two typical parking bays end to end with front and rear clearance. |
| Overall width | approx. 19 | ft | Two side-by-side parking spaces plus structure thickness and edge overhang. |
| Clear height | approx. 9 | ft | Vehicle clearance under beams and roof framing. |
| Roof slope | approx. 5 | deg | Low-slope roof to shed water and support panel tilt details. |
| Solar capacity | approx. 10 | kW | Panel count and exact wattage depend on module size and layout. |
| EV charging output | approx. 7.2 to 19.2 | kW | Level 2 charger range depending on electrical service and permitted equipment. |
| Structure weight | approx. 7,000 to 12,000 | lb | Depends on steel or glulam members, footing size, and roof assembly. |
| Usable parking capacity | 2 | cars | Typical passenger vehicles only, not oversized trucks or RVs. |
| Estimated footprint area | approx. 456 | sq ft | Used for rough planning and site fit only. |
| Design life target | approx. 25+ | years | Finish, corrosion protection, and maintenance affect service life. |
All numbers are planning estimates only and must be verified for local wind, snow, seismic, electrical, and zoning requirements.
The carport uses a simple post-and-beam frame to hold a low-slope roof surface that supports solar modules. Panels produce direct-current electricity in daylight, which feeds an inverter or power-conditioning unit that converts it for the charger and building use.
The EV charger is placed so the cable can reach a parked car without crossing the main drive path. Rainwater should be managed with a gutter and downspout plan so water is directed away from footings, vehicles, and electrical equipment.
The structural system should be sized by a qualified professional for site wind, snow, and seismic loads, and the electrical design should be confirmed for service capacity, grounding, disconnects, and charging load management.
| # | Part | Typical spec | Qty | Est. unit price | Est. total | Supplier type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main roof frame | Steel or engineered timber beams sized by engineer | 1 set | $7,500–$12,000 | $7,500–$12,000 | Structural steel fabricator or lumber supplier |
| 2 | Primary posts | Corrosion-protected structural columns | 4 | $450–$1,100 | $1,800–$4,400 | Structural supplier |
| 3 | Concrete footings | Reinforced poured footings with anchors | 4 | $350–$900 | $1,400–$3,600 | Concrete contractor |
| 4 | Solar modules | Approx. 10 kW total, standard rooftop panels | 20–26 | $180–$320 | $3,600–$8,320 | Solar distributor |
| 5 | Cable tray and conduit | Outdoor-rated raceway and fittings | 1 set | $300–$900 | $300–$900 | Electrical wholesaler |
| 6 | Beam splice / plate hardware | Galvanized plates, bolts, washers | 1 set | $250–$800 | $250–$800 | Fastener or metal supplier |
| 7 | Inverter or power controller | String inverter or hybrid inverter sized to array | 1 | $1,500–$3,500 | $1,500–$3,500 | Solar electrical supplier |
| 8 | Service panel / disconnect gear | Code-compliant electrical equipment | 1 set | $900–$2,500 | $900–$2,500 | Electrical wholesaler |
| 9 | EV charger | Level 2 charging station with load management | 1 | $500–$1,500 | $500–$1,500 | Electrical retail or wholesaler |
| 10 | Gutter and drainage parts | Downspouts, leaders, splash blocks or drain tie-in | 1 set | $200–$800 | $200–$800 | Building supply house |
| 11 | Grounding and bonding kit | Clamps, rods, lugs, labels, and grounding wire | 1 set | $180–$600 | $180–$600 | Electrical wholesaler |
| 12 | Signage / labels | Warning labels, disconnect labels, circuit labels | 1 set | $30–$150 | $30–$150 | Electrical supply |
Rough total budget range: approx. $16,000 to $39,000
Rules depend on the country and state, and the local authority having jurisdiction may require zoning review, building permits, electrical permits, structural calculations, fire access checks, and utility approval for the solar interconnection.
A professional should verify all code and permit requirements before construction starts.