Wood Solar Canopies: Everything Installers Need to Know
Sustainability and green energy have gained increasing attention in recent years, and their popularity continues to rise due to their clear benefits. To help conserve our planet, a growing number of home and business owners are looking for ways to produce their own clean, renewable energy. On-site solar solutions perfectly fulfil this function.
Across the US, property owners have opted to install solar panels on their roofs using traditional solar installation methods. However, this method poses certain barriers to efficacy. A solar system’s orientation, sun exposure, roof fixtures like chimneys and dormers, shade coverage, and construction restrictions can all negatively impact solar energy generation.
Ground-mounted solar canopies are a functional solution, allowing solar panels to be positioned in areas that receive maximum sun exposure and align with local regulations. Brooklyn Solar Canopy Co. offers a wide range of solar canopy designs, including wood solar canopies, which offer an ideal balance of aesthetic appeal and practicality.
In this guide, we share everything installers need to know about this type of solar canopy. We’ll detail the benefits of Wood-Post solar canopies, their applications as rooftop solar alternatives, and other essential information you can share with your clients to help them choose the ideal solar carport for their needs.
The Benefits of Wood Solar Canopies
As a solar canopy installer, you need to be able to recommend the ideal canopy solutions to your clients. These are the key benefits of wooden solar canopies that you can relay to them to ensure they choose the best solution for clean on-site energy generation.
Sustainable Green Energy Generation
Solar installations provide a consistent source of clean, renewable power, especially when positioned in locations with optimal sun exposure. Our easy to install solar canopy products make it easy to install these solar systems on your client’s premises.
By opting for a solar canopy, your clients can maximize the energy generation potential of their solar systems. This will reduce their reliance on the energy grid and fossil fuel-based energy sources, providing a truly sustainable power source for residential and business needs.
Financial Savings
Installing a wood solar canopy can result in significant cost savings for your clients over time. Although the initial installation process requires an upfront investment, your clients will be able to maximize their energy bill savings thereafter. This will help them reduce their utility bills without compromising their energy availability or lifestyles.
Some clients may also qualify for energy credits by adopting efficient solar power technologies. Depending on each client’s state of residence, these tax credits for solar canopies can further increase financial savings.
Enduring Aesthetic Appeal
BSCC’s wooden solar canopies aren’t just efficient; they’re also aesthetically pleasing. The natural elegance of timber provides an attractive alternative to our traditional aluminum solar carports.
Our canopies can enhance the look of your clients’ properties while providing a range of practical functions. Selecting wood canopies can also assist your clients in demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability and greener ways of living.
Versatile Functionality
A Wood-Post solar canopy is a versatile piece of equipment. It provides housing for solar arrays, but its applications extend far beyond solar panel installations. Wooden solar canopies can serve as:
- A solar patio
- A solar awning
- EV charging solar carports
- Pool solar canopy structures
Even if a client doesn’t have an EV, they can be used as solar carports to protect vehicles against rain, hail, and sun exposure, and provide protection for people too.
Ideal for Residential Installations
Our wood solar canopies are smaller in size than many of our larger aluminum canopies designed for commercial use. These aesthetically pleasing canopies are thus ideally suited to residential installations as their small size takes up minimal space in residential yards and gardens.
Despite their compact designs, they still provide all the same functionalities as other, larger canopies. They can be used as solar carports to provide solar shade and protection and can house a number of solar panels to meet each household’s unique energy requirements.
Multiple Size Options
BSCC’s Wood-Post solar canopies come in two flexible size options. Our single-bay wooden solar canopies are ideal for smaller residential properties and households, providing ample parking space for a single vehicle.
We also offer a double-bay canopy design that easily accommodates two vehicles and more solar panels. This option is great for larger homes or small businesses with minimal parking requirements. If additional cover or solar output is needed, your clients can install two or more canopies on their property.
Designed for Snow and Wind Loads
We have engineered our wood solar canopies to withstand snow loads and wind pressure while maintaining excellent structural integrity. Each canopy can withstand snow loads of up to 0 – 35psf and wind loads of up to 117 mph or above.
Each canopy comes with a 30-year equipment warranty, guaranteeing exceptional performance, stability, and durability over its lifespan. It is also panel agnostic, enabling you to easily install your clients’ preferred brands and sizes of solar panels.
Ease of Construction for Installers
We have designed our wood solar canopies for effortless installation in any space. Each custom solar carport order will be delivered with everything you need to install it safely and securely on site. Your purchase will include durable aluminum brackets, rails, and stainless-steel fasteners for a strong and secure result.
The only materials you will need to obtain separately are the timber your clients wish to use for construction. You will also need to construct foundations for the solar canopy and secure the solar panels and other required equipment.
Types of Wood to Use During Installation
You may purchase any type of wood for your solar pergola installation project that meets your clients’ needs and aesthetic preferences. Opting for sustainable timber sourced from local suppliers can significantly reduce costs, making it an affordable material to procure and cut on-site.
Additionally, using locally sourced timber helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting materials, as it minimizes long-distance shipping and the associated environmental impact. This approach supports eco-friendly practices and aligns with a commitment to sustainability throughout the project.
Once you have secured sturdy timber for your installation and created a foundation for your client’s canopy, you can follow our plans for professional solar canopy installation.
Recommended Wooden Beam Dimensions
We recommend investing in 8×8 wooden beams for your canopy installation. You will need to purchase 8 of these beams for a single-bay canopy and 14 for a double-bay canopy.
Standard wood and glue-laminated timber are popular choices among professional installers. Both can be finished with your clients’ choice of wood varnish, stain, or paint to create the desired effect.
Wood Solar Canopy Foundations
To erect your wood solar canopy, you’ll need to install concrete foundations. The exact dimensions and specifications of each foundation will depend on the size of your client’s solar canopy and the terrain at the installation site.
The BSCC team can offer expert guidance on building the right concrete foundation for your next project. Our plan set also provides all the information you need to create durable, long-lasting foundations for your clients’ solar carports.
Elegant and Versatile Solar Solutions
Wood solar canopies are ideal for clients looking for an aesthetically pleasing, durable, and versatile solar carport. These canopies can provide a source of consistent clean energy, create shade and protection against the elements, and offer considerable cost savings on energy bills.
Become a BSCC installer by creating a new account and submitting a project proposal to our team. We can provide you with a 3D model and quote for your planned installation.
Once you are satisfied, confirm your order with a deposit, and we will finalize your plan set and begin fabricating your client’s wood solar canopy. Your canopy will be ready to install within two to five weeks, and our detailed installation manuals will lay out every step to simplify learning how to build a solar carport.
Contact Brooklyn Solar Canopy Co today to get a quote for your next solar installation.