How does the Commercial Solar Carport & Canopy Engineering Sizer calculate financial return and payback?

The solver models gross capital expenditure (CapEx), Section 48 Investment Tax Credits (ITC 30%–50%), 5-year MACRS accelerated depreciation, utility demand charge shaving, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE).

Does this calculator account for battery degradation over time?

Yes, it models standardized degradation curves (typically 1.5% to 2.2% annually for LiFePO4 cells) and accounts for battery pack augmentation cycles across a 20-to-25 year lifecycle.

What federal tax credits apply under the Inflation Reduction Act?

Under Section 48 and Section 45Y, qualifying clean energy and battery storage installations unlock a 30% base ITC, plus potential 10% domestic content and 10% energy community bonus adders.

Commercial Solar Carport & Canopy Engineering Sizer

🅿️ 1. Parking Lot & Array Architecture

Parking Spaces Covered

Watts Per Space (W)

Structural Frame Geometry

Vertical Clearance Height

🔩 2. Structural Steel & Wind Design

Design Wind Speed (mph)

Ground Snow Load (psf)

Steel Turnkey Cost ($/W)

PV Electric EPC ($/W)

⚡ 3. Integrated EV Charging & Credits

Level 2 Dual EV Ports

Hardware & Conduit/Port ($)

IRA Section 48 ITC (%)

IRA 30C EV Credit (%)

Solar PV Capacity

456 kW-DC

114,000 lbs Steel

Net Turnkey CapEx

$728,400

After -$338k IRA Tax Credits

Annual Stacked Revenue

$88,400/yr

8.2 Yrs Simple Payback

Drilled Shaft Pier Foundation & Civil Bill of Materials 30 Drilled Concrete Piers

Pier Diameter & Depth 36" dia × 14 ft depth Resists overturning moments

Concrete Volume 110 Cubic Yards 4,000 PSI high-early mix

Steel Weight Ratio 250 lbs / kW Hot-dip galvanized A992 steel

Turnkey Solar Carport & EV Charging Budget Schedule

Scope / Line Item	Quantity	Unit Rate	Amount ($)

25-Year Cumulative Clean Energy Value

$1,640,000 Net Cash Flow

Provides shaded customer parking, EV charging revenue monetization, eliminates parking lot snow removal plowing costs, and protects asphalt pavement from UV degradation.