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How to choose the right solar carport for your business?

12-02-2025 Shift to Solar A car park can be so much more than just a place to park cars. With a solar carport, you can turn that space into a source of renewable energy. This system not only generates electricity, but also protects vehicles from rain, hail and bright sunshine. For many businesses, this is a smart investment. Less reliance on the energy grid, lower costs and a more sustainable image. But how do you know which solar carport best suits your business? In this blog, we take you step by step through the main choices. Why a solar carport is a smart choice A solar carport is more than just a canopy. It helps businesses in several ways: ✔ Lower energy costs - Generate your own energy and reduce your power bill.✔ Protection from weather - Vehicles stay dry and cooler in summer.✔ Less reliance on grid power - Reduce peak loads and energy costs.✔ Sustainable and future-proof - Invest in renewable energy and improve your ESG score. A well-designed solar carport pays for itself. With the right choices, you benefit from maximum energy yields and minimum costs. 1. What do you want to achieve with the carport? Before you choose, you need to know what you want to do with it. Do you want to
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How much does a solar carport cost?

31-10-2024 Shift to Solar A solar carport offers a sustainable solution for businesses and individuals. You generate solar energy as well as protect vehicles from the weather. Shift to Solar has several options. The costs depend on the size, material and installation options. Below, we provide an overview of prices and relevant details. Costs for solar carports at Shift to Solar Business solar carports For businesses, the cost of a solar carport depends on the number of parking spaces and the material chosen. Shift to Solar offers solid, durable options to suit the business market. Steel solar carport Wooden solar carport For businesses, there is also the option of a kit. You will then receive all the necessary materials and take care of the assembly yourself. This saves on installation costs and provides additional flexibility. Private solar carports Private individuals can also come to Shift to Solar for solar carports. They are delivered fully assembled, including high-quality solar panels. Choose a single or double carport, tailored to your needs. Single solar carport Double solar carport What is a solar carport? A solar carport offers more than just protection. The solar panels on the carport convert sunlight into electricity. So you can directly charge vehicles or provide power for other
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What is the difference between a canopy and a veranda?

30-08-2024 Shift to Solar Are you looking for a cosy spot in your garden? Do you want to be able to sit outside for longer, even when the weather doesn't cooperate? If so, you may have heard of verandas and canopies. Both options offer shelter and extend your time outside. However, there are also differences that are important to know before making a choice. What is a veranda? A veranda is an extension attached directly to your house. This means you can easily step outside from your living room or kitchen and be immediately under the veranda. A veranda is an extension of your home and creates a seamless transition between inside and outside. With a roof structure that rests on posts attached to the outer wall, you are always sheltered, whatever the weather. A great advantage of a veranda is that you can still enjoy your garden in less favourable weather. By adding a heater or cosy wood-burning stove, you make it extra comfortable, even in the winter months. Want to extend it even further? With glass walls all around, you can turn your veranda into a garden room, allowing you to sit outside even in wind and rain. Although you can build a veranda yourself
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Steel Solar carport - Shift to Solar

A sustainable car park with solar panels

20-08-2024 Shift to Solar A parking space doesn't just have to be a practical space; it can now provide financial returns. How? By transforming your car park with solar panels. For companies and municipalities, this means not only a sustainable investment, but also a smart way to cut costs. You make the best use of the available space with solar canopies. Car park canopy with solar panels A solar carport is a canopy for car parks equipped with solar panels. The roof of the carport is made of solar panels, generating energy that can be used to charge electric vehicles. The energy generated can also be used to power nearby buildings or even fed back into the energy grid (as long as the net-metering scheme is in place). For businesses and municipalities, this means that your car park suddenly becomes much more than a place for visitors or staff to park their cars. While the cars are kept nice and dry and cool, you generate clean energy and reduce your CO2 emissions. And best of all, of course, you will recoup the investment through energy savings from the solar panels. Whether it is a small car park or a gigantic garage, a solar carport fits virtually everywhere. We supply
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wooden shed lifetime

How long will a carport or canopy last?

10-07-2024 Shift to Solar When buying a carport or canopy, longevity plays a big role. Which material should you choose? Wood and aluminium each have their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of durability and maintenance. Moreover, more and more people choose to install solar panels on their canopy, which also have a certain lifespan. So it is important to look not only at the initial cost, but also at how long your investment will last. In this blog, we explain these aspects. Lifetime wooden canopy A wooden canopy is often cheaper than an aluminium one, but it generally does not last as long. On average, a wooden roofing has a lifespan of about 25 years. However, this strongly depends on the type of wood and maintenance. European standard EN-350:2016 classifies wood species based on their natural resistance to fungi and insects. This standard classifies wood species into five classes: Douglas wood, for example, falls into class 3. This means it will last 10 to 15 years untreated. Above ground, it will last longer. Indeed, with the right care, a Douglas canopy has a lifespan of 25 years or more. Durability is an important consideration for us. For our products we use
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steel carport with dimensions for 2 cars

Carport dimensions: how high and wide should a carport be?

21-06-2024 Shift to Solar Are you looking for the perfect carport for your car? Then you need to think carefully about the dimensions. How high and how wide your carport should be depends on the size of your car or vehicle. Your other requirements also play a role. Read more about the minimum dimensions for different types of carports and what to look out for. The ideal length and width for a carport For most cars, we recommend a carport that is at least 5.2 metres long and 3.5 metres wide. This ensures easy parking and that you stay dry when getting in and out. Our standard carport kits therefore have the following dimensions: Of course, your car may be larger or smaller than the average passenger car. The recommended dimensions may then differ from those outlined above. Or maybe you want to park a completely different vehicle under the carport, such as a caravan or motorhome. In such cases, customisation may be required. We always think along with you to find a solution that fits your specific situation perfectly. Feel free to contact us! The ideal length and width for a
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wooden carport at home

Do I need a permit for a carport?

07-05-2024 Shift to Solar Are you planning to add a carport to your home, but are faced with the pressing question: do I need a permit? This depends on several factors, such as the dimensions of the structure, its location on the plot (front or rear yard area) and local regulations. From 1 January 2024, the new Environment Act will come into force, replacing all previous legislation in this area. Usually, no permit is needed if your carport is smaller than 30 square metres and no higher than 3 metres. The carport must be placed in the rear yard area of the house. However, a permit is often required for structures in the front yard area. The advice is to hire a professional to submit permit applications. We can take this off your hands in its entirety. Do I need a permit for a carport? The rules for installing a carport differ from one situation to another. Below you can see at a glance when a permit is required, what the main conditions are and how Shift to Solar can arrange the process for you. Building without a permit A carport up to 30 m² and a maximum height of 3 metres may be erected without a permit in many cases, provided it is
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