174.84 kWp Solar Carport Design for a Mixed-Use Development in Cornwall
Annual energy profile showing onsite PV use, grid export and consumption coverage for the 174.84 kWp solar carport design.
Nortcel was asked to update the solar PV model for a mixed-use development in Cornwall, with the wider project split into separate design areas.
This post focuses on the carport section, where the design needed to reflect the latest carport report and provide a standalone PVSol model for review.
The challenge
The carport design required several assumptions before modelling could be completed. The exact module model, canopy angle, canopy width and orientation were not fully confirmed at the start of the update.
Nortcel reviewed the likely module type, canopy geometry and layout options so the carport system could be represented clearly in PVSol while still highlighting the assumptions that needed installer confirmation.
The solution
Nortcel developed a 174.84 kWp solar carport model using 372 AIKO modules across 6 carport mounting areas.
The model treated the canopies as low-angle mounted structures, with the layout arranged to reflect the supplied carport information and support a separate assessment of the carport area within the wider project.
Project results
The PVSol simulation estimated annual solar generation of 170,488 kWh / year.
The model showed 125,351 kWh / year used onsite and 45,137 kWh / year exported to the grid. This resulted in 73.5% own power consumption and 35.8% self-sufficiency.
Estimated avoided emissions were 39,197 kg CO₂ / year.
Energy profile
Annual energy profile showing onsite PV use, grid export and consumption coverage for the 174.84 kWp solar carport design.
The energy profile shows how the annual carport PV generation is split between onsite use and grid export. It also shows how the modelled demand is covered by the carport PV system compared with grid supply.
Design outcome
The updated model provided a standalone basis for reviewing the carport PV contribution separately from the roof-mounted systems.
It also helped identify the key technical details that needed confirmation before the design could be finalised, including canopy form, angle, orientation and module specification.
Key figures
System size: 174.84 kWp
Annual generation: 170,488 kWh / year
Modelled annual consumption: 350,067 kWh / year
Own power consumption: 73.5%
Self-sufficiency: 35.8%
Grid export: 45,137 kWh / year
CO₂ avoided: 39,197 kg / year
PV modules: 372 AIKO modules
Inverters: 6 SolaX inverters
Battery storage: Not included
Design stage: Carport PV model update
