The Illusion of Equivalence
Picture your car park on any given Tuesday. Hundreds of cars are parked there—belonging to your employees, your clients, your management. People walk underneath, on their way to and from their vehicles. Now, an unexpectedly severe summer storm rolls in, with hailstones the size of marbles. Or, a scenario no one wants to contemplate: a technical malfunction causes a fire in one of the parked electric vehicles.
In those moments of acute stress, the question isn't whether your solar carport is 'certified'. The only question that matters is: is it truly safe? Will the structure hold? Will it prevent a worse outcome?
In the solar carport market, 'certification' is a commonly used term, but without context, it's a hollow phrase. A checkmark on a specification list says nothing about the rigor of the tests, their relevance to real-world conditions, or the quality of the underlying design. It creates an illusion of equivalence that can be dangerous.
This guide is intended to shatter that illusion. We delve into the world of the most important standards and certifications. We show what is actually tested, why those tests are crucial, and how an uncompromising approach to quality forms the foundation of our Safe-Easy-Aesthetic promise. Because for us, safety is not a marketing term, but the absolute prerequisite for every structure we build.
Fundamental Safety: Protecting People and Property
The primary duty of any canopy is to offer protection. Not just from a predictable rain shower, but precisely against unpredictable, high-risk events. The certifications in this chapter are about mitigating the most direct, physical hazards. They form the hard, objective guarantee for the safety of your people and the protection of valuable assets, such as your vehicle fleet.
Impact Safety: The Guarantee Against Danger from Above
A solar carport is more than a roof; it's a structure that people walk under every day. This brings with it an enormous responsibility. What happens if a heavy branch falls on the roof during a storm? Or, in the worst-case scenario, if a maintenance technician stumbles and cannot break their fall? These are the scenarios that truly test the quality of a design.
The ultimate acid test: The Pendulum Test
To guarantee this impact resistance, we subject our panels to the strict European EN 12600 standard, better known as the pendulum test. This test mercilessly simulates reality by swinging a 45-kilogram weight—the equivalent of a falling person—with great force against the glass panel.
The result of this test is expressed in a classification that speaks volumes about its safety. Our panels achieve the highest possible score here: 1B1. This is not an abstract code; it's a concrete promise. The '1' signifies the highest impact the test prescribes. The 'B' stands for the breakage pattern: the glass may crack under the extreme force, but the shards remain bonded to the internal foil as a single unit. No hole is created, and nothing falls down.
The secret lies in the integrated design
This superior safety result is no accident; it is a direct consequence of a fundamental design choice. Many systems on the market use traditional solar panels that are simply clamped into a frame. In a heavy impact, the tempered glass of such a panel might break into relatively safe granules, but those granules do fall onto the people and cars below.
We opt for a fundamentally different approach. Our patented system is not an assembly of separate parts, but a fully integrated whole. The panel and its supporting frame are designed together, creating a structure that is inherently stronger. The two glass plates with the solar cells in between form a laminated sandwich construction that does not disintegrate upon breaking. This is the crucial difference between a roof that breaks and a roof that breaks and fails.
For you, this means the absolute certainty that your people and property are safe. This 1B1 classification is the basis for your risk management, the insurability of the project, and the peace of mind that comes with managing a public or semi-public space.
Fire Safety: Managing Risks from Within
The transition to electric transport brings with it a new risk profile. A fire in a vehicle under the carport is a real scenario. The question then becomes: how does the roof behave? Does it contribute to the fire? Or does it help to control the situation?
The reality test for fire: The SBI standard
To verify this, a structure must comply with the European EN 13501-1 standard, which classifies the fire reaction of construction products. The core test here is the 'Single Burning Item' (SBI) test, which simulates an incipient fire. The result is a classification that describes the material's behaviour when exposed to flames.
Our carport systems achieve the excellent classification of B-s1,d0. This code tells a clear story:
• The 'B' means the material is very difficult to ignite and barely contributes to the spread of fire. It is the second-highest class, demonstrating that the system will not fuel the fire.
• The 's1' stands for minimal smoke development (smoke class 1). In the event of a fire, this is of vital importance. It ensures clear visibility, allowing people to evacuate safely and the fire brigade to intervene effectively.
• The 'd0' guarantees that no burning particles or droplets fall from the roof (droplets class 0). This is a crucial detail that prevents the fire from spreading to adjacent vehicles via the roof.
More than just fire reaction: built-in electrical safety
This external fire safety is supported by internal, preventive measures. The IEC 61730 standard guarantees the electrical safety of the panels themselves. Through tests with extreme voltages, it is verified that the insulation is perfect, which minimizes the risk of short-circuits or an electrical cause of fire.
For you, this combination of certifications means you are installing a system designed to prevent fire and to limit the consequences should an external fire occur. It does not escalate the problem. This not only meets the strict requirements of insurers and emergency services, but it is also a fundamental part of responsible risk management.
Built for the Long Term: Durability in Extreme Conditions
A solar carport is a long-term investment. It is a strategic asset designed to create value for decades, both in energy yield and in functionality. But that promise is only worthwhile if the structure can stand the test of time. Fundamental safety is the first prerequisite, but durability is what guarantees the return on your investment over 25 years and beyond. That is why the tests in this chapter are about withstanding the most persistent opponent of all: time, and the constant influence of the weather.
Resistance to Weather and Wind: The Promise of Performance Retention
The climate can be demanding. From freezing winter nights to the heat of a summer day, and from damp autumn storms to the full force of the wind on an open site. A solar panel and its supporting structure are continuously tested by these cycles of expansion, contraction, moisture, and pressure.
A lifetime of testing in just a few weeks
To guarantee that our systems not only survive these conditions but thrive in them, there is the IEC 61215 standard. This is not a one-off check, but a series of accelerated aging tests that simulate a full lifespan of more than 25 years. Our panels are pushed to their limits:
• They endure hundreds of thermal cycles, where the temperature in a climate chamber fluctuates from -40 °C to +85 °C. This proves that the delicate solder joints and materials do not fail under the constant stress of contraction and expansion.
• They spend 1,000 hours uninterrupted in a damp-heat test at 85 °C and 85% humidity. This simulates decades in a humid climate and proves that moisture has no chance to penetrate, preventing corrosion and delamination—the silent killers of performance.
• They are subjected to a heavy mechanical load test, which simulates the pressure of a thick pack of snow and the suction force of a severe storm. This guarantees the physical integrity of the panel itself.
The result for you: This is the scientific substantiation of your business case. These tests guarantee that the energy yield—and thus the financial return on your investment—does not degrade after a few years but remains stable and reliable throughout its entire lifespan.
Corrosion Resistance: Proven Strength in Harsh Environments
Not every location is the same. A solar carport in a port area, directly on the coast, or on the grounds of a large agricultural company is exposed to specific, invisible, yet highly aggressive elements in the air. A standard solution will not suffice here; it requires a design that is proven to withstand this chemical assault.
The battle against salt and ammonia
That is why we do not settle for standard durability tests alone. We have our systems tested according to two specific corrosion standards:
1. IEC 61701 - Salt Mist Test: To simulate the effect of salty sea air, our panels and coated structural parts are locked for weeks in a chamber filled with an aggressive, warm salt mist. We test according to Severity 6, the most stringent level possible. Passing this test proves that the coatings, aluminium, and critical connectors are immune to the corrosive effects of salt.
2. IEC 62716 - Ammonia Test: In agricultural environments, ammonia is a constant factor. This gas is highly corrosive to metals and electronics. In this test, the system is exposed to a high concentration of ammonia gas at high temperature and humidity. Here too, our components prove their superior resistance.
The result for you: The certainty that our solar carport can not only handle a standard office environment but will also perform reliably in the most challenging locations. It shows that we understand your specific operational environment and offer a solution designed to excel in it. It is the ultimate guarantee of a long lifespan and minimal maintenance costs, wherever your business may be.
The Unseen Quality: Reliability in Every Detail
An energy system is only truly reliable if its quality extends beyond the large, visible components. After all, the weakest link determines the strength of the entire chain. Failures and performance loss in solar installations can often be traced back to the parts one does not see directly: the cables and the connectors. An inferior cable can become brittle and crack after years of UV exposure, leading to moisture ingress and fire hazards. A connector that doesn't seal perfectly can lead to corrosion, hotspots, and production loss.
That is why our quality philosophy extends to the smallest details. It is an approach that guarantees the entire system, from panel to connection, is built for maximum reliability and safety.
The Lifeblood of the System: PV Cables (IEC 62930)
The DC cabling forms the critical infrastructure that transports the generated energy from the panels to the inverter. These cables spend years in a relentless environment: exposed to direct sunlight, temperatures ranging from severe frost to extreme heat, and constant exposure to moisture. The IEC 62930 standard is specifically designed to guarantee the durability and safety of these PV cables under the harshest conditions.
Our cables are tested on crucial properties:
• UV and Ozone Resistance: Through a Xenon arc lamp test, the cable sheath is exposed to an intense, accelerated dose of UV radiation. This proves that the sheath does not degrade, become brittle, or crack under the influence of sunlight.
• Thermal Resistance: The cables must maintain their flexibility at -40 °C and their structural integrity at a constant oven temperature of 120 °C. This ensures they do not fail due to temperature extremes.
• Water Resistance and Insulation Value: The cable is submerged in water and then subjected to a very high test voltage (6,500 Volts). Absolutely no breakdown may occur. This confirms the superior quality of the insulation, which is essential to prevent leakage currents and short circuits.
• Fire Behaviour: The cables are flame-retardant. They do not contribute to the spread of fire, a property verified by the vertical flame test (IEC 60332-1-2).
The result for you: A cabling system that lasts as long as the panels themselves. The certainty that no unexpected failures or dangerous situations will arise from degraded cables, leading to maximum uptime and safety.
The Critical Connections: Watertight and Safe Connectors (MC4-Evo2 & IP68)
Every connection between panels is a potential point of failure. To eliminate this risk, we exclusively use MC4-Evo2 connectors from Stäubli, the industry standard for 1500V systems. These components are certified according to the IEC 62852 standard and have an IP68 classification.
The IP (Ingress Protection) rating is of vital importance here. An IP67 classification means a component can withstand submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. We, however, demand the higher IP68 standard. In practice, this means the connectors are tested by keeping them continuously submerged at a depth of 1 meter for a minimum of 7 days (168 hours).
After this test, there must be no form of water ingress. This guarantees an absolutely water- and dust-tight connection, even under the most extreme weather conditions such as drifting snow or driving rain in an open car park. The low contact resistance of these high-quality connectors also prevents power loss and the formation of dangerous hotspots.
The result for you: A system with no weak links. The guarantee that every connection is safe, reliable, and efficient, which minimizes the risk of failure, maximizes energy yield, and ensures the fire safety of the entire system.
The Anatomy of Trust
Let's return to the beginning. To that random Tuesday, the moment a severe storm rages across your property or an unthinkable incident occurs with a vehicle. In that moment of acute stress, there is no room for doubt about the integrity of the structure above your head.
The peace of mind you feel at such a moment is not based on a general marketing promise. It can be traced directly back to the facts we have discussed in this guide. It is the certainty that comes from the 1B1 classification of the pendulum test (EN 12600), which guarantees that no dangerous shards will fall. It is the knowledge that the B-s1,d0 standard (EN 13501-1) prevents the spread of fire and keeps the escape route clear of dense smoke. It is the awareness that the system retains its power and physical strength after a decade of heat, frost, and moisture, proven by the exhaustive IEC 61215 durability tests.
But these tests are performed on a selection of panels in a laboratory. How do you know for sure that the 256th panel in your project, produced on a random Wednesday, possesses the exact same, uncompromising quality as the test sample?
This is where the IEC 62941 standard forms the capstone of our quality promise. This is not a product test, but an in-depth audit of the manufacturer's entire quality management system, specifically tailored to the production of solar panels. A certification according to this standard is the guarantee that quality is not accidental, but systematically ensured.
A factory operating under this standard, for example, implements strict process control. After the critical step of lamination, each individual panel is subjected to an electroluminescence (EL) test. This 'X-ray' of the panel reveals even the smallest, invisible microcracks in the solar cells. Panels with the slightest deviation simply do not make it to the finish line.
Furthermore, the standard requires manufacturers to ensure full traceability, so that every component in every panel can be traced back to its original material batch. This is supplemented by the duty of continuous reliability testing: panels are regularly taken from ongoing production and subjected to rigorous lifetime tests internally. This is the active confirmation that quality remains at the highest level.
Ultimately, an Energy Ports solar carport is the sum of deliberate, considered choices. The choice for a design that is inherently safe and waterproof. The choice for the most durable components and for production partners who work according to the strictest quality standards. Together, these choices form the anatomy of trust. They ensure that you do not have to hope for a good outcome during that stormy Tuesday. You can depend on it.
Are you curious about how this in-depth approach to quality and safety can minimize the risks of your project and maximize its value? We would be happy to discuss it with you.
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