Up until recently, we’ve seen solar carports that are ideal as permanent structures. They’re large metal carports that cover a large area to shade several cars and support a solar panel at the same time. Such solar carports are added over public or business parking lots or are attached to the buildings themselves. The size, in these cases, makes sense: the solar panels on top are needed to supply power to a large building – not just a single home. Upon installation, a solar carport may supply a significant portion of the building’s power – sometimes being a third of the power – and will take over a larger portion over time.
None of these carports are entirely practical on an individual level, however. Recently, a portable solar carport was introduced by Phat Energy at Dwell on Design 2010. Called the Phatport, this portable carport will act as a traditional carport or can be used as a patio cover and generates 2.5 kW of solar energy.
Being introduced recently, the Phatport has already been experiencing orders, but production for more models won’t actually start until later in the summer. Aside from the metal frame large enough for a car and a solar panel, the Phatport will have additional features, such as interior lights, outlets, EV chargers, and a column design. The product will come preassembled and the price, at the moment, hovers around $37,000.
Do you think that this type of solar carport seems practical? On the surface, the design makes protecting your car and generating solar energy more accessible for the average person looking to be more energy-efficient. However, when it comes to the design of a carport, the Phatport appears a bit flimsy. Additionally, there appears to be no mentioning of which materials make up the carport’s frame. Will it be galvanized or powder-coated steel? If the latter, do you think purchasing a less sturdy carport with photovoltaic panels is worth the $37,000 price tag?
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[...] buildings or vehicles are becoming more pervasive. For an individual, solar carports are now portable, but on a larger level, the panels are being added to factories, school districts, and general [...]