This 13.4 kW solar electric carport was built in 2018 by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.

Under the carport, three car chargers are available for public use. Electric car owners can plug in and charge their cars with sunshine! The charge is 100% pollution-free and the cars are also 100% carbon emission-free driving.

The carport’s roof is made of photovoltaic solar panels, which collect and convert sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic cells have been used for decades to power calculators and other small to medium-sized appliances. As production costs have fallen, large panels like the ones on this carport, are being installed on rooftops and in solar farms all over the world.

The amount of electricity used around the world was 1% in 2015 to 4% in 2021 and keeps increasing. More is needed to meet global goals for lowering emissions and increasing power needs.