EV charging and demand charges
Dealers that sell EVs must charge inventory, demo cars and service customers’ vehicles. Several Level 2 chargers running at once can set a new monthly demand peak. Load management spreads charging across the day, and solar or storage can cover part of the midday charging load.
We install Level 2 chargers. DC fast chargers require different equipment and often a utility service upgrade, and we don’t install them. The federal §30C charger credit ended for property placed in service after June 30, 2026.
Carports and hail
Front Range hail damage to vehicle inventory is a costly, recurring risk. Carports provide partial cover: they protect cars directly beneath the canopy from vertical hail but not from wind-driven hail at the edges. Treat that as a side benefit, not a guarantee, and ask your insurer whether coverage changes.
Carports need engineered foundations, snow and wind design, and room for car-carrier trucks to maneuver. Lot layout often takes longer to agree on than the electrical design.
Load shape and rates
Showroom lighting and HVAC, service-bay equipment and office loads peak in daylight, a good solar match. Lot lighting runs at night. Most dealers are on commercial demand rates, so we look at the demand component as closely as the energy charges.
Ownership and taxes
Many dealership real estate entities are separate from the operating company, which affects who owns the system and who claims the tax benefits. For a taxable owner, solar generally must be placed in service by December 31, 2027 for §48E, and 100% bonus depreciation is back. Talk to your CPA about how both apply given your entity structure.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Do solar carports protect cars from hail?
Partly. Cars directly beneath the canopy are shielded from vertical hail, but wind-driven hail can reach vehicles near the edges. It lowers exposure without removing it.
How do we charge EV inventory without spiking demand charges?
Use load-managed Level 2 chargers that share a fixed capacity and schedule charging for off-peak or solar hours. Storage can also absorb peaks if your bill justifies it.
Do you install DC fast chargers?
No. We install Level 2 chargers, plus solar and storage that can support them. DC fast charging needs different equipment and often a utility service upgrade.
How much more do carports cost than rooftop solar?
Meaningfully more per watt because of the steel structure and foundations. The trade is much more available area plus shade and partial hail cover. We price both side by side.
Our real estate is held in a separate LLC. Who should own the system?
Either can, with different tax and lease consequences. Your CPA and attorney should decide which entity owns it before we sign a contract.