After deciding to install solar carports to help your journey to sustainability, your next choice will be around which material you would like them to be made from.
Our Solspan solar carports can be made from steel, aluminium or sustainably produced wood.
Beauty belies its strength
Many clients choose our Novasol timber solar carports because the timber finish becomes part of the design and looks stunning.
But their looks belie their strength. Our timber carports are made from a product called glulam timber, otherwise known as glued laminated timber, layers of wood bonded together using a moisture-resistant glue to create larger pieces of timber.
Glulam is known for its ability to withstand a huge amount of force and its high strength to weight ratio – around three times higher than steel.
This ratio not only provides a far superior performance to traditional wood but is lighter than steel which makes it perfect in many building projects such as beams and columns for buildings and extensions as well as roof structures.
Its strength means we are able to create solar carports with large spans between posts and roof projections of up to 12m, the same as a steel carport.
How much is a Solar Carport Structure?
It’s cheaper to install our Novasol glulam timber carports because they weigh less than our steel designs and therefore need smaller foundations, causing less disruption than steel solar carports.
However, glulam carports can cost more than steel because it is more complex to manufacture.
In addition, although the wood won’t deteriorate thanks to being treated with a preservative strain, it may require more maintenance than steel to keep the carports looking good.
However, with yearly energy savings of £79,000* or more, your investment is rapidly recouped.
*cost savings are dependent on car port size.
What about sustainability of Solar Carports?
If you are installing solar carports as part of your journey to Net Zero then choosing wooden carports will, alongside solar energy, help you reach your 2050 target.
The timber we use is manufactured from European spruce which is grown in sustainable forests and certified by a third party, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), a non-profit organisation promoting sustainable forest management.
Our PEFC-certified timber is managed to meet strict environmental, social, and economic requirements.
Our Novasol wooden solar carports therefore offer a renewable alternative to steel which minimises your impact on the environment at a time when we need to mitigate carbon emissions as much as possible.
In addition, all the components used with the wooden solar carport are made from 99 per cent recycled steel.
And don’t forget that for two carports covering a total of 80 spaces, you will save 31 tonnes per year in CO2 while your employees or customers will be able to charge around 3,500 electric vehicles a year.
Are there any disadvantages?
Our glulam solar carport is only available in a two-post design and configuration compared to steel solar carports and will need some ongoing maintenance to keep it looking good. It may also cost slightly more than a steel alternative, although the additional frame cost can be offset by reduced foundation cost.
However, contact our team of experts who are ready to help you choose the right material for your solar carport and provide a full end-to-end service, from design and structural work to final installation and commissioning.
