As more drivers shift to electric vehicles and energy costs continue to fluctuate, parking facilities face growing pressure to modernize their lots and garages while maintaining profitability.

Clean energy technologies, especially EV charging stations and solar carports, offer a practical path forward. EV charging helps parking providers attract and retain customers, while solar carports generate fixed-price electricity and improve the comfort and safety of drivers. Together, these solutions support customer satisfaction, cost control, and sustainability goals.

Use this guide to learn why clean energy matters for parking facilities and what you should consider when planning EV charging and solar carport projects, from technical and operational requirements to financial considerations.

Why Clean Energy for Parking?

Drivers of electric vehicles choose where to park based on the availability of chargers. Facilities that provide convenient charging can become the default choice, while those that don’t risk being left behind. This is especially true for lots and garages around shopping centers, entertainment and sports venues, and hotels where drivers expect to be parked and charging for longer periods.

EV chargers can also improve air quality inside and around the facility. By encouraging more drivers to transition to EVs, parking providers can help reduce tailpipe emissions and improve local air quality. This creates a healthier environment for drivers, as well as staff who spend their days in enclosed parking structures.

Onsite EV charging also carries a financial benefit in the form of new revenue. Parking providers can layer a modest charging fee on top of standard parking charges, creating a new income stream while offering a valuable service. And when charging ports are installed under solar carports, the facility gains a dual benefit: The carports produce clean electricity and offer shade and weather protection.

At the same time, solar carports directly address energy costs. Many parking structures run 24/7 and consume significant electricity for lighting, ventilation, gate operations, elevators, and payment systems. Generating energy onsite with solar panels can help offset these loads, providing a hedge against rising rates and making monthly utility bills more predictable.

In short, clean energy solutions help parking facilities mitigate multiple challenges — customer retention, air quality, operational costs, and amenity value — while positioning the property for a more sustainable future.

Implementing EV Charging for Parking

Installing EV chargers in a parking facility requires more than choosing hardware; it means aligning technical, regulatory, and business considerations with how your customers actually use the site. Here are some key issues you should understand before moving forward.

Be Aware of Local Building Codes & Regulations

Building codes and EV‑related ordinances are evolving quickly. For example, certain jurisdictions now require new or substantially renovated properties to include a percentage of spaces that have electrical capacity and conduits to support EV chargers (EV-ready), necessary wiring to support EV chargers (EV capable), and/or fully installed EV chargers.

Other types of regulations include:

• Required signage and pavement markings for EV‑only stalls
• Accessibility standards for parking spots with EV chargers
• Regulations like CTEP in California, which govern how pricing is displayed on chargers and how sessions are billed

Even in markets where mandates are not yet in place, planning with future requirements in mind can help avoid retrofits later. Engaging local code officials early and designing your layout, conduit runs, and panel capacities with a long‑term view is a practical way to keep future options open.

Consider Onsite Power Capacity

Electrical capacity is often the first technical constraint encountered when planning an EV charging system. Level 2 chargers draw significant power at 208–240 volts, and DC Fast Chargers draw even more. Without careful planning, adding multiple chargers can strain existing infrastructure.

A thorough assessment of onsite capacity should look at your current peak demand (as reflected on your utility bills) and how much headroom exists on your main service. In many cases, the raw capacity may not be enough to support the desired number of chargers if each operates at its maximum power rating at the same time.

This is where EV charging management software becomes essential. Modern charging management platforms can continuously adjust how much power each charger delivers based on available capacity, driver needs, and time of day. Rather than every charger drawing full power simultaneously, the system spreads the load across vehicles and time, which can substantially reduce peak demand.

Understand Driver Habits & Charger Options

The right charging mix starts with understanding your drivers and how long they tend to park at your facility (their “dwell time”). These patterns determine whether Level 2 chargers, DC Fast Chargers, or a combination of both is appropriate.

Generally speaking, Level 2 chargers suit locations where vehicles sit for several hours or more. Examples include workplace and campus garages, hotel parking, long‑term airport lots, and municipal lots near transit stations. DC Fast Chargers make sense in high‑turnover contexts. Rest stops along highways and short‑stay garages next to retail corridors may benefit from fast chargers that support quick top‑ups.

It’s important to note, however, that many parking facilities benefit from a blended approach where the bulk of ports are Level 2, which are less expensive and perfectly adequate for longer stays, while a handful of DC Fast Chargers serve drivers with time‑sensitive needs.

Beyond charger type, you should also consider utilization. In a market with low EV penetration but strong growth projections, it may be prudent to install extra conduit and panel capacity during an initial project while only energizing a subset of stalls. This strategy balances cost control with the flexibility to scale quickly when demand rises.

Ensure Scalability

Future‑proofing a site for continued EV growth begins with infrastructure. During initial construction, it is often cost effective to oversize conduit runs, leave space in electrical rooms and panelboards, and create stub‑outs to future charger locations.

Scalability is also a function of software. Deploying a flexible charging management system that can support your current charger count as well as future expansions is essential. By designing for volume from the outset both physically and digitally, parking providers can grow with demand instead of constantly playing catch-up.

Choose a Fee Model

The way you bill drivers for charging influences both the financial performance of your project and how drivers perceive the service. Pricing models typically fall into three categories:

• Time‑based: Drivers pay for the duration of their charge session
• ‍Energy‑based: Drivers pay by kilowatt‑hour delivered to their vehicle
• ‍Session‑based: Drivers pay a fixed fee for each session

Many parking operators also offer discounted rates for monthly parkers or tenants, different tariffs for overnight versus daytime charging, or special pricing for fleet vehicles. Idle fees can also be used in certain contexts to encourage drivers to move vehicles once charging is complete, though these should be deployed carefully to avoid negative experiences.

Regardless of the model, a robust charging management system should make it easy to configure pricing, integrate with your payment stack, and report on revenue and utilization. With good data, you can adjust tariffs over time to balance accessibility, cost recovery, and profitability.

Implementing Solar Carports for Parking

Solar carports (also called solar parking canopies) take advantage of the large, unobstructed surfaces that parking lots and garage roofs offer. By elevating solar panels above parking spaces, facilities can produce clean energy while enhancing the parking experience. Here are some best practices for making your installation a success.

Know Your Monthly Electricity Costs

Designing a solar carport starts with understanding how your facility currently uses electricity. A year worth of utility bills helps designers see your load profile — when consumption peaks, how demand charges are structured, and where solar production can provide the greatest value.

By overlaying historical load data with projected solar output, your provider can size the carport to meet objectives such as maximizing annual savings, offsetting a particular portion of consumption, or targeting certain demand periods.

Site conditions like the orientation of parking rows, shading from nearby buildings or trees, and structural constraints on a garage roof also inform layout and tilt. An experienced solar provider can help facilitate all this and more as part of a thorough site assessment.

Explore Different Solar Carport Options

Solar carports are not one‑size‑fits‑all. Different structural designs offer different benefits in terms of cost, energy generation, and user experience:

• Single‑tilt canopies are usually the most economical option. They use fewer structural members and less steel, which keeps material and installation costs down. Panels tilt in a single direction, and when oriented appropriately, they can deliver strong energy yields with a relatively simple design.
• ‍Dual‑tilt or inverted canopies introduce a ridge down the middle of each span, with panels sloping toward both sides. This configuration often handles rain, snow, and ice more effectively by channeling runoff, making it ideal for colder or wetter climates. It can also allow for higher panel density and greater clearance in drive aisles, improving navigation for larger vehicles.
• ‍Long‑span carports cover wider areas, such as multiple rows of parking or the entire top deck of a garage. They maximize both coverage and generation per square foot, offering continuous weather protection and a bold visual statement of the property’s commitment to clean energy.

Working with an experienced design team ensures that the structural form you choose aligns with your climate, site constraints, and energy targets.

Be Aware of Construction Needs

Building a solar carport is a significant construction activity that inevitably affects how a parking facility operates during the installation period. Understanding these impacts upfront allows for proper planning.

During construction, portions of the lot are typically fenced off to serve as staging areas for equipment, materials, and contractor vehicles. These areas may occupy 15–25% of the lot at any one time, moving as work progresses. While some spaces will be temporarily unavailable, a phased approach can maintain sufficient capacity for ongoing operations.

Existing lighting infrastructure often needs to be modified. Light poles that conflict with carport columns are removed, and new LED lighting installed under the canopy to provide uniform illumination. Traffic patterns may be adjusted with temporary signage, paint, and physical barriers to maintain safe vehicle and pedestrian flows.

At the electrical level, interconnecting the solar system with the utility grid requires at least one planned outage. These shutdowns, typically ranging from several hours to half a day, are scheduled in coordination with the owner to minimize disruption. In some cases, critical loads can be supported by temporary generators while the connection work is completed.

Consider Installing Carports & Chargers Together

When solar carports and EV chargers are deployed together, the benefits extend beyond what either system typically delivers on its own. Combining them in a single coordinated project creates efficiencies that can be difficult to achieve with multiple installations.

From a construction standpoint, integrating chargers from the outset means the ground or deck only needs to be opened once for foundations, trenching, and conduit. Chargers can be mounted directly on carport columns rather than on standalone pedestals, simplifying cable routing and reducing the need for additional protective bollards. Permitting, interconnection, and inspections can be coordinated, shortening the overall project timeline.

Financially, this integration can materially reduce combined costs compared with building projects separately. It also allows the solar system to be sized with EV loads in mind, optimizing both assets as a unified whole rather than independent installations.

For drivers, the result is a seamless experience: shaded stalls with built‑in charging, clear wayfinding, and a cohesive visual design. For operators, it’s a single project that delivers energy savings, incremental revenue, and a compelling sustainability narrative.

Powering Chargers With Solar

Using solar energy to help run EV chargers adds an important dimension to both assets. Instead of drawing all charging energy from the grid, the facility can meet a share of that demand with onsite, emissions‑free generation.

This pairing offers several advantages. First, it lowers the effective cost of electricity consumed by the chargers. As solar offsets a portion of the facility’s utility usage, the margin between charging fees collected from drivers and underlying energy costs can widen, improving project economics.

Second, it dampens exposure to volatile and rising grid prices. While solar output fluctuates with weather and season, its levelized cost of energy is effectively locked in once the system is built. Whether you own the system outright or purchase power under a long‑term agreement with your developer, this predictability becomes an asset when structuring EV charging tariffs and operating budgets.

Finally, solar‑powered charging resonates strongly with drivers and stakeholders. Many EV owners care about how their electricity is produced, not just that it’s available. Charging under a visible, functioning solar canopy reinforces the perception that the facility is genuinely committed to sustainability.

Financial Considerations: Getting Projects Off the Ground

A successful clean energy project is one that meets corporate financial objectives. For parking facilities, the combination of incentives, energy savings, and new revenue means EV charging and solar carports can often be justified not just as sustainability investments but as solid business decisions. Here’s how:

Leverage Available Incentives

Policy support for EV charging and solar remains strong in many regions. Though the federal funding landscape is unpredictable, state programs and utility rebates can significantly reduce the upfront cost of both hardware and installation.

Working with a solutions provider that is well versed in the programs available in your area can ensure your project qualifies for and captures the maximum amount of incentive funding.

Consider the ROI

The return on investment for EV charging and solar carports is multi‑layered. On the cost side, solar reduces annual energy expenses, while load‑managed EV charging helps avoid demand spikes and may eliminate the need for electrical upgrades. On the revenue end, charging fees add a new income stream, and improved customer satisfaction can contribute to higher occupancy and better retention of monthly parkers and tenants.

An ROI calculator can help estimate returns. By inputting charger counts, expected utilization, projected pricing, and estimated costs, site owners and managers can see payback periods and long‑term cash flows under different scenarios. Similar modeling for solar, based on historic utility bills and projected production, shows how quickly a carport can pay for itself.

When solar and EV charging are implemented together, project economics becomes even more attractive. Bulk procurement, shared construction mobilization, and the ability to offset part of charging demand with onsite solar all contribute to strong combined returns.

Explore Flexible Financing

Access to capital is frequently a gating factor for parking facilities, particularly for those juggling multiple infrastructure priorities. Fortunately, there are financing options that can bring projects to life with reduced or even no upfront capital expenditure.

For solar, power purchase agreements are a common non-capex approach. Under a PPA, a third party owns the system and is responsible for installation, operation, and maintenance, while the facility agrees to purchase the electricity produced at below market rate for a set term.

EV charging projects can benefit from Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS), a subscription-based non-capex model in which the provider handles the installation and maintenance of an EV charging system, as well as software updates.

By aligning financing structures with cash‑flow projections and organizational goals, parking facilities can move ahead with clean energy upgrades that might otherwise stay on the drawing board — capturing the operational, environmental, and customer‑facing benefits sooner rather than later.

What’s Next

Clean energy technologies are reshaping what’s possible for parking facilities. If you’re considering implementing assets like EV chargers and solar carports, now is the time to begin vetting providers who can assess your property and make installation recommendations based on your energy profile and business goals.

Unsure where to start? PowerFlex can help.