From Hail Protection to Multifunctionality: Versatile Designs of Solar Hail Structures

04.02.24

Businesses or commercial facilities with large parking lots can become more eco-friendly and add functionality via commercial solar carport structures. These solar structures combine traditional parking lot covers with solar panels to provide shade, weather protection, and energy cost savings. Companies can add further functionality with features that benefit both the business and its clients.

Property owners can use the different design options provided in this article to get the most use and value from their solar hail structures.

The Multifunctional Nature of Solar Hail Structures

As their name suggests, solar hail structures protect vehicles from hail and offer a space to mount solar panels. Companies may invest in solar parking structures to protect vehicles and assets, comply with sustainability regulations, decrease energy costs, receive tax reductions, and more.

These structures naturally serve multiple purposes beyond hail protection. The hail-resistant coverage offers protection from extreme heat and the sun's harmful UV rays, which can damage vehicles over time. They also provide shade, making parking lots cooler and more comfortable for visitors and workers.

Added Solar Hail Structure Functionality Options

There are many ways companies can add further functionality to solar hail structures. The various features cater to different budgets and requirements, but some useful options include incorporating car charging ports, surveillance systems, lighting, and branding.

Car Charging Ports

Every year, more and more Americans consider purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) to help combat climate change and reduce their carbon footprint. Car manufacturers have responded by increasing their EV production. However, many consumers still struggle to find reliable charging ports away from home. The Biden administration has announced their plans to increase EV infrastructure throughout the country, but this will take some time.

In the meantime, businesses have an opportunity to incorporate EV charging stations into their properties as a benefit for consumers. Instead of building separate charging stations, designers can add them to solar hail structures as extra functionality. The energy generated from the solar panels will provide power to these stations, so there's no extra energy consumption.

A few benefits of adding EV charging ports to solar structure designs include:

• Space savings: EV charging stations require space for the equipment and the cars themselves. By combining charging stations with solar hail structures, companies can reduce the amount of space needed for this service.
• Added convenience: Companies that provide charging stations under hail structures offer added convenience to visitors — they won't need to park and charge their cars in separate locations.
• Income generation: Businesses can create an income stream by offering charging services to visitors and clients. Business owners can also charge higher parking fees for covered parking spots with charging stations.

Surveillance Systems

Parking lots — with their wide open spaces and lower activity levels — often see high levels of crime, including car theft and vandalism. One way for a business to combat this issue is to install surveillance cameras. Companies planning on adding solar carport structures can integrate surveillance equipment within the structure and use the energy from the solar panels to power them.

Companies that add surveillance equipment to the design of solar hail structures see the following benefits:

• Simplified installation: Instead of adding surveillance cameras at a later date, designers can account for these systems during the structure planning phase to make installation faster and easier.
• Lower costs: Combining surveillance equipment installation with solar hail structure implementation will save companies money. Adding them after construction is completed will require costly alterations or additional purchases.
• Happier visitors: Visitors may feel safer and more comfortable parking their cars under carport structures with visible security cameras.

Lighting

Lighting is an important consideration for commercial parking lots when the sun goes down. However, adding lighting in an aesthetic and energy-efficient way can be a challenge. One way to solve this is to increase the functionality of solar carport structure designs by adding lighting.

By incorporating lighting into the design of solar hail structures, companies will benefit from:

• Improved security: Proper lighting around the business and near valuable assets can make it harder for criminals to hide or catch people unaware.
• Better visibility: A well-lit parking lot is easier to navigate and work in when it's dark. People tend to feel safer in open areas when there's sufficient lighting.
• Cleaner look: Carports with seamless lighting design look professional and tidy, making the parking lot and business look better to customers.

Branding

While companies primarily install solar hail structures to generate sustainable energy and protect vehicles from harsh weather, the design of the structure can also add extra functionality in the form of branding and promotion. Companies can customize the color of the fabric or metal to their company colors and add logos and signage as well.

Adding branded elements to solar panel shade structures will provide:

• Brand awareness: When customers park their cars or drive past the parking lot, they won't miss the company's colors and logo on the large carport structures. The more they're exposed to the brand, the more familiar it will become, which can lead to increased sales.
• Directional guidance: Large logos on solar hail structures are visible from afar, making it easier for customers to find businesses. Companies can also add navigational lettering to solar structures to make it easier for customers to find where they need to go within the parking lot.
• Visual appeal: Parking lots with professional branding and well-designed carport structures look better to visitors, creating a positive brand perception upon arrival.

Create Multifunctional Solar Hail Structures With VPS

VPS is the market leader for asset and automotive protection and has been in the business for more than 30 years. We design and manufacture a variety of covered parking products for large-scale commercial applications for businesses, governments, auto dealerships, OEM facilities, and transportation facilities.

We're proud to offer durable hail protection designs that seamlessly integrate with solar panels. We collaborate with our clients through the entire process — from conceptualization to implementation — to ensure all requirements are met. With our comprehensive project management, fabrication, and construction services, we can successfully complete any project efficiently and in a timely manner.

Our team of experts is ready to assist you with your commercial or industrial project. Reach out to us today at 1-866-887-4233 or through our online contact form for custom site assessment and a free quote.