![]() ![]() ![]() It costs more because of extra materials (it takes taller, stronger structures to get solar panels that far off the ground), extra labor (it takes longer to build) and extra engineering costs, he said. "A carport is roughly 40% more expensive compared to a ground mount system," said Tim Powers, a research and policy associate for Inovateus Solar, the company that built Michigan State's system. While the economics of a power purchase agreement are a bit different, for the company that absorbs the construction costs, building elsewhere would be a better deal. If you're interested in solar, answer a few questions to get an exact price quote from our solar advisors. The SaveOnEnergy marketplace helps you search, compare, sign up and save on the right energy fit for your home - all for free. However, some solar experts think increased interest in sustainability (90% of Americans wanted more solar farms in 2020, according to Pew) could mean more solar parking lots are headed our way.Īdvertiser Disclosure: CNET's corporate partner SaveOnEnergy can help you find the right energy fit for your home. Parking lot owners may forego solar panels for reasons including cost and inconvenience. Rooftop and ground-mounted solar panels produce differently based on their latitude and the angle they're installed at. And, as extreme weather becomes more common, shade and shelter from downpours would be a welcome development for drivers.Įach solar panel installation has a different energy and financial evaluation. So why don't all parking lots have solar panels over them? We need to rapidly transition away from fossil fuels to avoid the worst effects of global warming. I know, because I was a commuting student at Michigan State for two years and gladly took advantage of the covered parking. #EVERYWHERE FREE#It's a great thing to not have to scrape your car free of snow in 20-degree weather. Besides providing a more pleasant parking experience, the university gets cheaper, cleaner solar energy from the solar panels. They're mounted above the lot on steel structures tall enough for tailgaters in RVs to park beneath. That's because each parking lot is sheltered from the sun, snow and rain by solar panels. If you park in one of several commuter lots on Michigan State University's campus, you'll likely score a premium parking spot. ![]()
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