Why Carport Structures Don't Fail on Day One—They Fail on Day 365

Solar carport installation costs can fluctuate by as much as $0.12 per watt before a single solar panel is installed. In this in-depth webinar, Kyle Sinclair, CEO and Co-Founder of Sinclair Designs and Engineering (SDE), James Strizki, Project Manager and CFO of GenMounts and Renewable Energy Holdings, and Matt Boyce, Principal Engineer at Engineered Solutions and a Professional Engineer licensed in 27 U.S. states, join host Tim Montague to explore what determines the success or failure of commercial solar carport projects.

Drawing from hundreds of megawatts of combined engineering, manufacturing, project management, and construction experience, the panel walks through every stage of a solar carport project—from preliminary engineering and bidding to foundation design, construction, and commissioning. The discussion highlights where projects typically encounter costly setbacks, why those issues occur, and how proper planning significantly reduces project risk.

Here is what you'll learn in this webinar:

✔ Why experienced rooftop EPC contractors often underestimate the complexity of solar carport projects. Unlike rooftop systems, carports require heavy civil construction, deep foundations, structural steel, and extensive concrete work, with many projects averaging 0.5 MW and requiring nearly 100 cubic yards of concrete.

✔ How to build a comprehensive due diligence process before construction begins. James Strizki explains the importance of geotechnical reports, 811 utility locating, Web Soil GIS analysis, coordination with local drilling contractors, and conducting field layout verification before mobilization.

✔ The real financial impact of subsurface conditions on project costs. Kyle Sinclair shares real-world pricing examples, comparing $800 drilled foundations in stable Michigan clay versus $2,500 rock-drilled foundations in shale—a difference capable of adding $60,000 to a half-megawatt installation.

✔ The three primary foundation systems used for solar carports—drilled shafts, spread footings, and hybrid helical pile foundations—and how selecting the wrong solution can compromise long-term structural performance.

✔ Why independent structural engineering reviews are essential. Matt Boyce explains why existing parking structures cannot automatically be repurposed for solar installations and why every project requires proper structural verification before engineering approval.

As more residential solar contractors expand into the commercial and industrial (C&I) market, understanding the engineering realities behind solar carports has never been more important. Unlike standardized rooftop installations, every carport project presents unique structural, geotechnical, and construction challenges that demand careful planning, experienced engineering, and disciplined project execution.

Whether you're an EPC contractor, developer, structural engineer, project manager, estimator, or commercial solar professional, this discussion provides practical insights that can help reduce project risk, improve estimating accuracy, and deliver long-lasting solar infrastructure.

Connect with Guests

Kyle Sinclair:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-sinclair-b9b60a62/

James Strizki:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-strizki-p-e-96384063/

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Wired for Sun: The Commercial Solar Playbook

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⚡ About Our Sponsor: CPS America

The Clean Power Hour is proudly sponsored by CPS America, North America's leading provider of three-phase string inverters, maintaining the industry's top market share for 9 of the last 10 years, with more than 10 GW installed across 30,000+ project sites nationwide.

Designed for commercial, industrial, utility-scale solar, and energy storage applications, CPS America offers:

• Three-phase string inverters from 25kW to 350kW
• The Gonzo all-in-one C&I battery storage solution
• CPS FlexOM remote monitoring and control platform

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