Solar carport racks can be mistaken for simply elevated ground-mounted solar racks, but solar carport designs have their own unique set of complexities, configurations, and safety considerations. Providing a solar carport of the highest quality means designing a racking solution specifically for the application and will result in a system that utilizes available space more efficiently; offers greater flexibility on site; requires less on-site installation time; and Maximize power generation.

When designing a solar carport, there are a few key aspects to consider: height, site layout, slope, water management, spacing, and foundation.

1. Solar carport frame height
The height of the rack's leading edge depends on the vehicle or machinery that needs to pass underneath, such as an ambulance, delivery truck, or school bus. If the solar parking lot needs to allow emergency vehicles to pass through, the frame should provide a clearance of at least 13.5 feet to 14 feet. In other cases, a lower leading edge height is sufficient and more cost-effective.

2. Site layout
When determining the ideal orientation and location for a solar carport mounting system, consideration should be given to any shade from trees or adjacent structures that may negatively impact energy production. The design of the system also needs to take into account the standard space of 27 feet between columns and if there are custom requirements for areas such as entryways. Spacing also depends on soil content, snow load, wind load, and other factors.

3. Precautions for tilt angle
The solar parking shed is designed with an inclination of 1 degree to 7 degrees. When leaning more than seven degrees, the sail effect is greater, requiring larger posts and heavier foundations to compensate. This extra material adds to the cost and reduces the coverage of the parking area.

4. Water resource management
A properly designed solar carport can also help manage rain and snow. Designers consider these questions: Where should water be pushed to drain? Need gutters, leds, or some roof system? Structures designed for solar parks should provide rubber gaskets installed between the roof base plate and panels below the brackets to help prevent water from dripping over the panels.

5. Solar parking structure and foundation
The solar parking structure consists of two structures. The primary structure is attached to a foundation with anchors using an I-beam base design and arrives ready to install without on-site welding or drilling. The secondary structure is the box channel or purlin above which the solar modules are supported.

The foundation of the solar carport frame is designed with soil composition in mind. In general, an I-beam type foundation will meet most needs, but spread footings can be used to provide greater stability for below-ground or above-ground column connections or screw foundations. When designing a solar park, it is most cost-effective to maximize the number of solar modules and minimize the amount of foundation used.