Solar obligation for car parks: Fulfill an obligation or achieve sustainable returns?

THE SUN-MASTER KNOWLEDGE BLOG

Legal requirements of the solar obligation

In more and more federal states in Germany, solar power is becoming mandatory for new or renovated car parks. What at first glance appears to be an additional regulatory burden turns out, on closer inspection, to be an economic opportunity – especially for businesses, commercial enterprises and local authorities.

The legal requirements aim to promote the multiple use of large sealed areas: as car parks and, at the same time, as areas for generating solar power. However, many operators are faced with the question of how this obligation can be implemented as economically as possible. Pure photovoltaic roofing without a more comprehensive energy concept does not fully exploit the potential.

Cost-effective implementation of solar carports with storage

Solar carports only realise their full economic potential when they are part of a holistic system. Most of the solar power generated is produced during the day – often at times when self-consumption is limited. Without storage, a large proportion of the energy is fed into the grid, often at less than attractive conditions.

The combination of a solar carport and energy storage system, on the other hand, allows you to use the electricity yourself in a targeted manner. Whether for operating buildings, cooling systems, production processes or charging infrastructure for electric vehicles: self-consumption increases significantly, while electricity procurement costs decrease. In addition, load peaks can be smoothed out and grid fees reduced.

Another decisive factor is future-proofing. Legal requirements, mobility concepts and energy needs are constantly changing. Modular energy systems can be flexibly expanded and adapted to new conditions – without having to replace the existing infrastructure.

Conclusion

The solar obligation for car parks is much more than a legal requirement.
When implemented correctly, it becomes the basis for sustainable returns, greater energy independence and the long-term economic use of your own land.

Frequently Asked Questions.

An overview.

Where Can the Energy Storage System be Placed and how is it Installed?

Our energy storage system is usually installed in a basement, cellar vault, or a
suitable storage room. For maximum safety – especially when multiple
modules are stacked on top of each other – our technicians perform a professional wall mounting.

The modules are delivered by freight forwarder or by our own team. Thanks to integrated rollers, they can be easily moved to the installation site, after which the rollers are removed. Alternatively, the modules can also be safely lifted using the integrated eyelet system. For stacking the energy storage modules, the eyelets can also be removed.

Our energy storage modules utilize particularly safe 48V technology. The installed LiFePO₄ cells are considered extremely reliable and, unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, cannot self-ignite. This means for you: maximum safety with full performance.

In the front area of the storage system, where the electronics such as the BMS and wiring are located, our engineers have deliberately planned additional space. This ensures good ventilation and protects the components from overheating. At the same time, we remain flexible: In case of future adjustments – for example, due to new legal requirements or new state-of-the-art components – additional components can be easily integrated.

Fundamentally, our energy storage systems are very durable and low-maintenance. However, if a malfunction does occur, the failure is usually attributable to the electronics—specifically the BMS (Battery Management System) or the communication interfaces (RS485 / CAN bus). These components are subjected to greater stress than the actual LiFePO₄ cells, which are extremely robust and long-lasting.
The typical spare part costs per module are approximately:

BMS: €200–250
Communication Board: €250–300
LiFePO₄ Cell Unit: €150–200

Briefly explained:
BMS (Battery Management System): Monitors and protects the cells, ensures uniform charging and discharging.
RS485 / CAN-BUS: Enables communication between the storage system and the inverter and master module.

All components in the energy storage system are securely mounted and thus protected from vibrations. The stable aluminum frame provides additional stability, while the outer casing made of HPL panels offers particularly robust protection.

HPL (High Pressure Laminate) is a high-pressure laminate characterized by its extreme robustness: It is shock- and scratch-resistant, withstands moisture and UV radiation, and is flame-retardant (fire protection class B1). Thus, the internal components are reliably protected against external environmental influences such as heat, moisture, or mechanical stress – and the storage system remains operational long-term.

LiFePO₄ cells are considered particularly safe and are extremely rarely self-igniting. Should a fire nevertheless occur internally, it would not spread outwards: LiFePO₄ cells only ignite at around 200-250 °C, while the robust HPL panels of the outer casing are only flammable from approximately 400-500 °C. This means that even in extreme cases, fire spread is ruled out.
Even after installation, we are reliably there for you. Should components ever fail, you can reach us by phone from Monday to Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM at +49 39724-268000 or anytime by email at info@sun-master.de. Our nationwide installation service ensures that defective electronic components or individual cells are replaced directly on-site within three working days – quickly, professionally, and reliably.
Our energy storage systems usually consist of several modules. If a single module fails, the overall storage system remains functional – only the performance is reduced.
A storage system with 5 modules, each with 16 kWh capacity and 8 kW power, results in a total of 80 kWh capacity and 40 kW power. If one module fails, 64 kWh capacity and 32 kW power are still available. The storage system therefore continues to operate reliably, albeit with slightly reduced performance.
  • Production Facilities & Machine Halls (24/7 Operation): Even if a module fails, the energy supply remains stable, allowing machines to continue running. Production downtimes are thus reliably avoided.
  • Hospitals & Emergency Power Systems: In safety-critical areas, a continuous supply is crucial. Even if a module fails, the power supply remains guaranteed – an important factor for life support systems and sensitive medical equipment.

Thanks to the modular design, maximum operational reliability is thus ensured.

A possible failure is displayed directly in the SUN-MASTER App. There, you can not only monitor the status of your storage system, but also control yields and consumption, optimize self-consumption, and intelligently manage your energy flows.

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