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Ample Energy Services: Solar Carport with Hybrid Backup Power System.
Designed by: Ample Energy (2018)
Installed: 2022
Location: External office car park, United Kingdom
System Architecture
The structure is an all-aluminium, black powder-coated carport featuring flush-mounted solar PV, integrated electric vehicle (EV) charging, digital advertising displays, and a novel generator-assisted backup power system. Although grid-connected, the system is designed to maintain full EV charging functionality during mains power outages.
Please note: The generator system remains in active research & development, with ongoing design refinements.
Solar PV Array
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Module type: 36 × 285 Wp bifacial, frameless glass-glass modules
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Glass thickness: 6 mm (walkable surface, suitable for maintenance access)
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Mounting: Flush within the carport framework, frameless design
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Array rating: 10.26 kWp (effective output increased by bifacial gain from black-powder-coated rear surface)
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Adaptability: Carport frame is module-agnostic, accommodating any standard or non-standard panel dimensions
Power Electronics
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Inverter: Solis 10 kW hybrid inverter
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Operational mode: Grid-connected, with an EPS (Emergency Power Supply) / off-grid output side dedicated to backup loads
Backup Power System (Generator – Under Continuing Development)
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A custom electro-mechanical backup generator system has been integrated into the off-grid side of the Solis inverter. This enables continuous EV charging during grid outages.
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Generator specification 25 kW three-phase generator (originally specified for a wind turbine application)
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Rated speed: 360 RPM for full 25 kW output
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Prime mover: Small single-phase electric motor, mechanically coupled to the generator shaft
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Speed control: Variable Speed Drive (VSD) operating the motor at less than half its rated speed, thereby driving the generator at a reduced RPM while still producing usable AC power
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Output connection: Generator feeds directly into the EPS input of the Solis 10K inverter
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Operational principle:
During a grid failure, the VSD powers the small motor, which spins the low-speed wind turbine generator. The resulting three-phase AC supply is accepted by the Solis inverter's off-grid side, allowing the system to continue charging EVs without interruption. The generator does not back-feed the mains grid. -
Development status:
The generator system remains an active R&D project. Further design processes and optimisations are ongoing to enhance reliability, efficiency, and integration.
EV Charging Infrastructure
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Base capacity: Simultaneous charging of up to four electric vehicles
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Extensibility: The carport is designed to extend in increments of two additional car parking spaces
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Unlimited scalability: The modular design allows for continued extension – add as many bays as required, with no upper limit
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Chargers: Fully integrated within the carport's support columns
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Aesthetic finish: Black powder-coated to match the carport frame and chargers
Advertising Displays
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Quantity & location: Two digital advertising screens per side of the carport
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Dimensions: 2 m × 1 m each
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Power supply: Integrated into the system's load management scheme
Structural Features
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Material: All-aluminium construction, powder-coated black
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Column design: All structural supports are concealed within the columns
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Levelling: Adjustable bottom supports allowing vertical height adjustment critical for uneven ground.
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Module compatibility: Frame can adapt to any solar module dimensions without structural modification
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Scalability: Structural system supports unlimited linear extension – add bays in multiples of two car spaces as needed
Key Innovations
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Generator on EPS side – Unlike conventional backup systems where the generator is placed grid-side, this design places the generator on the inverter's off-grid output. This prevents islanding risks and eliminates the need for a complex automatic transfer switch at the main panel.
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Low-speed wind turbine generator repurposed for backup (R&D ongoing) – By driving the generator with a small VFD-controlled motor at fractional speed, the system achieves stable, low-RPM AC generation. Development work continues to optimise this novel configuration.
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Frameless bifacial glass-glass flush mounting – Provides structural walkability, eliminates dirt traps, reduces wind uplift, and captures rear-side solar gain from the black powder-coated substructure.
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Fully integrated aesthetics – Chargers, cabling, and structural supports are concealed within the columns. The black finish matches all visible components.
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Unlimited modular expansion – Unlike fixed-size carport products, this design allows incremental extension in two-car increments, with no practical limit on total length.
Operational Status
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ComponentSpecification
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StructureAluminium, black powder-coated
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Solar modules: 36 × 285wp bifacial frameless glass-glass (6 mm)
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Inverter: Solis 10 kW hybrid
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Generator: 25 kW three-phase (wind turbine type), 360 RPM rated – R&D ongoing
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Generator drive: Small single-phase motor + VSD
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EV chargers: 4 units (base), expandable in 2-car increments
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Maximum extensibility: Unlimited – add as many bays as required
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Advertising screens: 2 m × 1 m, each side
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Grid connection: Standard mains, non-off-grid
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Backup mode: Generator feeds EPS side of inverter
Looking for a freestanding carport?
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If you are seeking a durable, future-proof, freestanding solar carport designed to last – with the ability to start small and expand indefinitely as your needs grow – contact Ample Energy Services for design consultations and further information.
Talk to the Ample Energy Services team
Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding any of our services. We would be happy to assist in any way we can.
© 2026 by Ample Energy Services Ltd
Ample Energy Services specialises in solar photovoltaic systems, with a particular focus on PV arc fault detection and rapid shutdown solutions. We serve the full spectrum of the industry — from domestic and commercial installations through to the leisure sector, including clients who require fully off-grid systems.
What sets us apart is the unique breadth and depth of the services we offer. If you have a problem, we're well placed to solve it for you.
Unit 36 Acorn Ind Park,
Crayford Road,
Dartford,
Kent DA1 4AL
01322 621300