Where Are Solar Parking Lots?

Solar Parking Lots Make a Lot of Sense - Shade & Power for Electrical Vehicles 

Solar parking lots are an innovative solution combining renewable energy and functional infrastructure. These parking areas are equipped with solar panels installed above parking spaces, converting sunlight into electricity. As concerns about climate change and energy sustainability grow, solar parking lots are gaining popularity worldwide. But where can you find them? Let’s explore.

Solar Parking Lots Across the United States

1. California
   As a leader in renewable energy, California boasts numerous solar parking lots. These can be found at:

   • Shopping malls like Westfield Valley Fair.
   • Universities such as Stanford University.
   • Public facilities, including municipal buildings and transit hubs.

2. Arizona
   With abundant sunshine, Arizona has invested heavily in solar infrastructure. For example:

   • Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport features a massive solar canopy covering thousands of parking spaces.
   • Arizona State University offers solar parking lots on its campus.

3. Florida
   The Sunshine State is home to several solar parking installations, including:

   • Theme parks such as Walt Disney World Resort.
   • Retail centers and large supermarkets.

4. Texas
   In Texas, solar parking lots are increasingly common in:

   • Corporate campuses, especially tech companies in Austin.
   • Schools and universities aiming to reduce their carbon footprint.

Global Solar Parking Lot Hotspots

1. Europe
   Many European cities have integrated solar parking lots into their infrastructure:

   • France mandates solar panels in large parking areas starting in 2028.
   • Germany utilizes solar parking at supermarkets and train stations.

2. Asia
   Rapid urbanization and energy demand have led to growth in countries like:

   • Japan, where compact solar parking lots serve urban centers.
   • India, with solar canopies in public transport hubs.

3. Australia
   With high solar irradiance, Australia has adopted solar parking lots at:

   • Shopping centers like Westfield in Sydney.
   • Community facilities and sports complexes.

Why Are Solar Parking Lots Important?

• Energy Efficiency: Solar parking lots generate electricity to power nearby buildings, charge electric vehicles, or feed back into the grid.
• Environmental Benefits: They reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions.
• Enhanced Comfort: Solar canopies provide shade for vehicles, keeping them cooler during hot weather.

How to Find Solar Parking Lots Near You

To locate solar parking lots:

• Use tools like Google Maps to search for solar-powered parking.
• Visit websites of local malls, universities, or airports to check for green energy initiatives.
• Look for apps or directories that map solar-powered infrastructure.

The Future of Solar Parking Lots

The trend of integrating solar panels into parking lots is expected to grow. With advancements in solar technology and increasing governmental incentives, more locations will adopt this sustainable solution.

Whether you're parking at a university, shopping mall, or workplace, solar parking lots represent the intersection of convenience, sustainability, and forward-thinking design.

By utilizing existing spaces like parking lots to generate clean energy, we take a significant step toward a greener future. Consider supporting and advocating for solar parking lots in your community!

The Cost of Installing a Solar Parking Lot Canopy For EV Charging

As the world moves toward sustainable energy solutions, solar parking lot canopies are becoming increasingly popular. These structures not only provide shade for vehicles but also generate clean, renewable energy. Moreover, they can be equipped with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, offering a convenient and eco-friendly way to power electric cars. However, the cost of installing a solar parking lot canopy can vary significantly based on several factors. This article will delve into the key elements that influence the cost, the potential for EV charging, and provide a general overview of the expected expenses. 

DIY EV Solar Charging Station: Empowering Your Electric Vehicle

In the transition towards sustainable living, electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as a cornerstone of eco-friendly transportation. However, one challenge that EV owners often face is ensuring their vehicles are charged efficiently and sustainably. This is where the DIY solar charging station comes into play—a brilliant fusion of technology and sustainability that allows EV owners to harness the power of the sun to charge their vehicles. This article explores the fundamentals of building your own solar charging station, offering a step-by-step guide to help you embark on this green journey.

Don’t Blow a Fuse: A Guide to Installing an EV Charger with Solar Integration

With the rise in electric vehicle (EV) popularity, many homeowners are considering the installation of an EV charger in their garage or driveway. While this move can provide convenience and save money on public charging fees, installing an EV charger at home is not as simple as plugging in a new appliance. Proper installation is crucial to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with electrical codes. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process without blowing a fuse—literally and figuratively. Additionally, integrating solar power into your EV charging setup can further enhance your energy efficiency and sustainability.

How Much & How Long Does It Take To Charge an Electric Vehicle?

The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) has brought a significant change to road travel, especially for long-distance trips across the country. One of the most critical aspects of planning such a journey is understanding the time required for charging the vehicle. Here's a detailed look at how long it takes to charge an electric car while traveling across the country.

Why Don't Most Solar Parking Lots Have EV Charging Stations?

Can solar parking lots be used to charge electric cars? EV Future, Solar Carports Cost

Map of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Shows Huge Gaps

California has 13,658 EV charging stations while Alaska has just 40.

A Look at How Solar Can Change The Transportation Industry

Solar power is something that can be found in many areas of life today. From homes and businesses to cars and even heavy-duty trucks used in the transport industry, you can find solar power in every direction. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends those that who want to own environmentally-friendly vehicles check to see if the vehicles they are considering are SmartWay vehicles.

Making the World a Greener Place One Person at a Time

Solar energy and other renewable energy sources have reignited hopes of a greener, cleaner world. We don’t, however, need to wait for governments to take control and to convert energy production to renewable solutions. Instead, we can all do our part to reducing our carbon footprint. Reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t have to mean a change in lifestyle, either. Here are five improvements you can make to your home and life that will reduce your monthly bills and reduce your carbon footprint: 

1.     Seal Your Home

One of the first things that everyone should do when aiming to reduce their carbon footprint is to simply seal their home. This will reduce your monthly utility bill and make your home warmer and dryer. For small projects, you can do it yourself by replacing old caulking. Whether you need a professional renovation done depends on the state of your home. This investment, however, is needed if you ever want to sell your home.

2.     Heat Your Home More Efficiently

Once your home is properly sealed, you can then work on using energy more efficiently. One thing you should never do, for instance, is leave your heating on (even on low) throughout the day when you leave the house. Instead, keep it off except for key times when you need it. Rugs and thick curtains can also trap and retain heat, meaning that you can use heating more effectively.

3.     Upgrade Your Appliances

One of the biggest culprits for a high-energy bill (and as a result, a larger carbon footprint) are old household appliances. Upgrading to newer, more efficient models will not only save you money, it is also much safer. Old appliances are fire hazards, don’t work as well, and typically look outdated. Updated appliances are also a good investment if you ever want to later sell your home.

4.     Upgrade Your Car  

Just as you should upgrade your appliances, you should also upgrade your car. Visit Eastern Mini and pick up a car that is safer and has better gas mileage efficiency. The more efficient the vehicle, the better. Hybrid cars are becoming increasingly common as well, which is another avenue you can look at when choosing a new vehicle.

5.     Install Renewable Energy for Your Home

The last improvement you can make to your life, that will also reduce your monthly bills, is to install a home renewable energy solution. This means solar panels on your roof, or even a windmill if you have a large enough property. The renewable energy can be stored and used, reducing your monthly energy bill, and saving the planet in one go.

Everyone can get on board with these solutions, because they mean reduced costs in the long run and increased personal safety. If everyone around the world reduced their carbon footprint humanity would make true headway against global warming. Do your part in saving the environment, even if you only do it for the reduced monthly utilities bill.

Click on the map of solar farms in Texas and solar farms in California to search for locations.

Solar Parking Lot Charging Station Canopies

Envision Solar Charging Station

Envision thinks there will be 11 million electric vehicle charging stations in the US by 2020.  We happen to agree.  That is why were are building the largest crowdsourced database of "solar parking lots maps".  We already have thousands of parking lots listed on our map.  

How many electric vehicle charging stations are in the US in 2023?

What is different about Envision is that these solar panels charge cars and are not just sending power into the grid or building like most solar roof installations.   

The Envision Solar Charging Station is an innovative solution for providing sustainable and off-grid charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs). It is designed and manufactured by Envision Solar International, a company that specializes in developing solar-powered products and solutions.

The Envision Solar Charging Station incorporates a combination of solar panels and energy storage to generate and store electricity. The solar panels are mounted on a canopy-like structure, which not only captures sunlight but also provides shade and protection for parked vehicles. The energy generated from the solar panels is stored in a battery system, allowing for charging even during non-sunlight hours or overcast days.

One of the key features of the Envision Solar Charging Station is its mobility and flexibility. The station is designed to be relocatable and can be easily moved to different locations based on the charging demand or specific events. This makes it suitable for various applications such as parking lots, commercial buildings, public spaces, and even temporary installations for events or construction sites.

The Envision Solar Charging Station is equipped with multiple charging outlets, supporting both Level 2 (AC) and Level 3 (DC) charging standards. This enables compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles, including cars, buses, and bikes. The station may also include additional features like LED lighting, EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) connectivity, and smart grid integration for better energy management.

How Solar Energy Can Help Students Save Money

As a student, you probably use up a lot of energy. Whether it’s lighting or heating your home, heating up your water supply, charging your devices, revising at your computer, or watching the television, every minute that you spend ‘plugged in’ is costing you. Although students are renowned for being able to live off very little amounts of money, dealing with large bills as a student can quickly cripple you financially if you’re supporting yourself. We’ve listed some of the main ways in which solar energy can benefit you as a student.

Solar Panels

Having solar panels installed at your home can be an excellent investment. If you’re living in your own privately owned property you should have no problem getting solar panels installed, however, be careful if you are a tenant as you will need to have your landlord’s permission. There are many schemes across the U.S. promoting solar energy, which you may find useful to use if you need to get approval before having solar panels installed. Once installed, you will be able to generate a lot of the energy that your home uses, which will drastically cut your energy bills and enable you to be more self-sufficient. This is especially useful for those enrolled in home-based programs such as the online MSW from Rutgers Online.

Charging Your Devices

It’s not just heating and lighting your home that solar power can easily do – did you know that you can now get solar-powered charging gadgets for your smart devices? Whether you own an iPhone, Android phone, or prefer to use a tablet for browsing and staying in touch, keeping the battery full of juice can use up a lot of energy and highly contribute to your electricity bill. With solar-powered charging devices, you can at least save some energy on keeping your smartphone battery at 100%, even if you can’t get solar panels at home.

Solar Transport

They may not be mainstream yet, but in the future, solar-powered vehicles are certainly going to become much more popular.  As the world searches for alternatives to gas when it comes to powering the vehicles on our roads, solar energy has made great steps forward, with solar buses helping to reduce the carbon footprint in China, solar racing cars are making headlines in Australia and a solar-powered aircraft has already made its way around the world. Although you might not be able to get a solar car before you’ve graduated from your M.S.W. online, it’s certainly worth getting excited about.

Solar Home Heating

Heating your home or your student room can be an expensive experience. But, with a solar heating product such as a solar space heater, you can be warm and snug at home without having to worry about the size of your energy bill. Solar space heaters work by harnessing sunlight and converting it into thermal energy, without costing you a dime!

Solar energy is going to be huge in the future, so why not start saving money with it now!

Click on the map of solar farms in Texas and solar farms in California to search for locations.