Xinyang Expressway Service Area Photovoltaic Charging Carport Project

Project Background

With the development of low-carbon transportation and new energy vehicles, expressway service areas are increasingly upgrading their parking and charging facilities. To support low-carbon development, Xinyang Expressway Service Area decided to build photovoltaic charging carports for passing vehicles.

The project provides parking, sunshade, rain protection, photovoltaic power generation, and charging support. As an expressway service area project, it required high structural safety, long service life, reliable connections, and strict construction quality.

The designed service life of this project is 50 years, with high standards and strict quality requirements.

Design Solution

The project adopts a photovoltaic carport structure. Each carport group is about 6 meters wide and 50 meters long. A total of 6 groups were built, with a total building area of approximately 1,800 square meters.

To meet the requirements of long-term use and high structural performance, all steel members are made of Q355 steel. The seismic performance of the structure was designed to be higher than the local seismic fortification intensity, improving safety and stability during long-term operation.

The carport adopts a bolted connection system, using 10.9-grade high-strength bolts throughout the structure to ensure stable and reliable connections.

Project Information

Materials and Structural Features

All steel members in this project are made of Q355 steel. Compared with ordinary Q235 steel, Q355 steel has higher strength and is more suitable for photovoltaic carport projects that require stronger bearing capacity, structural stability, and long-term durability.

Since the roof of a photovoltaic carport needs to support solar panels and related systems, the structure must also consider wind load, rain and snow load, seismic performance, and long-term outdoor exposure. Therefore, higher standards were adopted in both material selection and structural design.

All connection nodes use 10.9-grade high-strength bolts. This connection method provides strong and reliable fastening performance, while also supporting standardized fabrication, transportation, and on-site installation.

Construction and Installation

The total project period was about 45 days, and the on-site construction period was about 15 days. Since the project included 6 groups of photovoltaic carports with a large total area, construction organization was important throughout the process.

The bolted connection method reduced on-site welding work, improved installation efficiency, and made quality control easier during construction.

During installation, Jingtian focused on steel structure alignment, bolt connection quality, structural straightness, and on-site safety management to ensure smooth project delivery.

Completion Result

After completion, Xinyang Expressway Service Area gained approximately 1,800 square meters of photovoltaic charging carport space. The carports provide shade and rain protection for vehicles and support the development of new energy charging infrastructure.

The finished structure is stable, neatly arranged, and suitable for large-scale expressway service area parking and photovoltaic power generation applications.

Jingtian Service

This project reflects Jingtian’s capability in large-scale photovoltaic carports, steel structure carports, bolted steel components, and on-site installation.

Henan Jingtian Membrane Structure Engineering Co., Ltd. can provide customized services for photovoltaic carports, charging carports, steel parking shelters, industrial park carports, factory parking areas, and commercial parking lots, including structural coordination, steel fabrication, bolted connection solutions, and on-site installation.

FAQ

1. Are photovoltaic carports suitable for expressway service areas?

Yes. Expressway service areas have large parking and charging demands. Photovoltaic carports can provide parking shade, rain protection, solar power generation, and charging support for new energy vehicles.

2. Why was Q355 steel used in this project?

The project has a designed service life of 50 years and strict structural requirements. Q355 steel offers higher strength and is more suitable for long-term, high-standard steel structure carport projects.

3. What is the benefit of using 10.9-grade high-strength bolts?

10.9-grade high-strength bolts provide strong and reliable connections. They are suitable for steel structure projects that require high connection stability and safety.

4. Why use bolted connections for photovoltaic carports?

Bolted connections support standardized fabrication, easier transportation, faster installation, and reduced on-site welding. They also help improve installation efficiency and quality control.

5. What is the total area of this project?

The project includes 6 carport groups. Each group is about 6 meters wide and 50 meters long, with a total building area of about 1,800 square meters.

6. How long did the project take?

The total project period was about 45 days, and the on-site construction period was about 15 days.

7. Can photovoltaic carports be customized?

Yes. The span, length, layout, steel specifications, connection method, and solar panel arrangement can be customized according to site conditions and project requirements.