Model your project savings and peak-demand reduction
Calculate ROIInstall solar panels over your parking lot. Protect vehicles from the sun and rain while generating clean electricity — no roof space required.
A solar carport is an elevated steel structure with solar photovoltaic panels mounted overhead, constructed specifically over parking bays. It functions as both a covered carpark and a power generation system — simultaneously.
Unlike rooftop solar, a solar carport does not depend on the condition, orientation, or structural capacity of an existing roof. It is built from the ground up using galvanised steel columns and beams, making it suitable for properties with large open car parks — shopping malls, factories, office complexes, hospitals, and universities.
In Malaysia, solar carports are growing rapidly as a BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) solution that adds value to otherwise underutilised surface area.
Offset your TNB electricity bill directly. A 100-bay carport (250 kWp) generates ~325,000 kWh per year — equivalent to RM150,000+ in annual savings.
Shade panels keep vehicles cool and protected from UV damage and tropical rain. Customers and staff appreciate covered parking — especially in Malaysian heat.
Green infrastructure adds to asset value. LEED, GBI, and MyCREST green building certifications award points for on-site renewable energy generation.
Pre-wire bays for EV chargers during installation. Offer paid charging to tenants or the public — a new revenue stream powered by your own solar energy.
Large car parks are often the biggest underutilised asset on a commercial property. Solar carports convert this dead space into a productive energy asset.
Demonstrate sustainability commitment to tenants, investors, and regulators. Solar carports contribute to Scope 2 emission reduction and ESG reporting targets.
Three main structural configurations are used in Malaysia, each suited to different parking layouts and civil constraints.
Columns on one side only, panels cantilevering over the bay. Minimal ground obstruction and cleanest aesthetic.
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Central column between two rows of bays. A T-shaped crossbeam supports panels over both sides simultaneously.
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Columns on both sides of the parking row. Used for very large systems or where span requirements exceed cantilever limits.
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High daytime load and large open car parks make malls ideal candidates. Self-consumption rates above 80% are common.
Industrial properties with vast open lots. Combine solar carport with rooftop solar for maximum generation capacity.
Peak generation (10am–3pm) aligns with peak office electricity demand. Excellent self-consumption profile.
Critical facilities benefit from both electricity savings and EV readiness for ambulance and fleet charging.
Campuses with large student car parks and ESG commitments. Education institutions qualify for green building incentives.
Guest car parks become a green amenity. Pair with EV charging to attract eco-conscious travellers and corporate events.
System size scales directly with the number of parking bays available. The table below provides indicative figures based on standard single-cantilever carport construction in Malaysia.
| Parking Bays | System Size | Annual Generation | Annual Savings | Estimated Cost | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 bays | 50 kWp | 65,000 kWh | RM 30,000 | RM 250K–350K | 5–6 years |
| 50 bays | 125 kWp | 162,000 kWh | RM 75,000 | RM 600K–800K | 4–6 years |
| 100 bays | 250 kWp | 325,000 kWh | RM 150,000 | RM 1.1M–1.5M | 4–5 years |
*Savings calculated at RM0.461/kWh average commercial rate. Costs include structure, panels, inverters, TNB application, and installation. Excludes PBT submission fees. Indicative only — actual costs vary by site conditions.
Solar carport and EV charging is arguably the most natural combination in commercial energy infrastructure. The solar canopy above generates power during daylight hours — exactly when most EV charging demand occurs.
Panels on the carport roof generate electricity throughout the day. Surplus beyond building consumption is directed to EV chargers.
Type 2 AC chargers (7–22kW) or DC fast chargers (50–150kW) are installed at pre-wired bays beneath the carport structure.
Earn from electricity bill savings AND EV charging fees (RM0.40–0.80/kWh). Payback period reduces significantly with charging revenue.
Planning EV charging? Trexon can design your solar carport with EV charging infrastructure built in — conduit, switchboards, and charger mounting points — from day one. Retrofitting later costs significantly more.
A solar carport is an elevated steel structure with solar panels mounted overhead, built specifically over parking areas. Unlike rooftop solar, it does not require any existing roof — it uses your open parking lot as the installation site. This makes it ideal for properties with large car parks but limited or unsuitable roof space, such as shopping malls, logistics warehouses, and office complexes.
A standard car bay (2.5m × 5m) can accommodate approximately 2.5 kWp of solar panels. So 20 bays ≈ 50 kWp, 50 bays ≈ 125 kWp, and 100 bays ≈ 250 kWp. The actual system size also depends on structural constraints, local authority approvals, and your building's electricity consumption. Trexon conducts the RM100 priority site visit (fully credited when you proceed) to determine the optimal configuration.
Yes. Solar carports are considered permanent structures under Malaysian building regulations and typically require building plan approval from the local authority (PBT) and, in some states, MBPJ, MBSA, DBKL, or equivalent. Trexon manages the full submission process including structural engineering PE drawings, TNB connection applications, and PBT submissions.
Yes. Trexon designs solar carport structures to comply with MS 1553 wind load standards for Malaysia, typically rated for wind speeds up to 170 km/h. Panels are mounted with appropriate tilt and drainage to handle tropical rainfall. The steel structure is hot-dip galvanised for corrosion resistance in Malaysia's humid climate.
Solar carport and EV charging is a natural combination. DC power from the solar panels can be routed to EV DC fast chargers, or converted to AC for AC chargers. Trexon offers integrated solar + EV charging design where selected bays are pre-wired for Type 2 or CCS chargers. This enables you to offer paid EV charging as an additional revenue stream while powering them with solar energy.
Solar carports typically have a payback period of 4 to 6 years for commercial properties in Malaysia. The payback is driven by electricity bill savings (replacing TNB grid consumption at RM0.365-0.509/kWh), NEM credits where applicable, and optional EV charging revenue. Properties with high daytime electricity consumption — like malls and offices — achieve the fastest payback.
Share your site plan or parking layout and our B2B team will assess your solar carport potential — system size, savings, and ROI — within 3 working days.
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Tell us about your parking area and we'll design a structural solar carport.