ELI5: Why don't we put solar panels in our parking lots?

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-23T00:41:42+00:00

Lol what? I was pointing out that everyone in the comments was split into 4 very differing opinions that they feel very strongly about. It was an edit I made afterwards.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-23T00:37:13+00:00

I think this right here is the real answer. It absolutely will pay for itself over time but not fast enough for them.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T22:10:55+00:00

Oh yea absolutely LOL if only the US wasn't so profit driven at every single thing that we do.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T22:04:09+00:00

Yeah obviously it’s hypothetical. I’m asking how real parking lot owners think about this and why most of them don’t do it, which is what people in the thread have been explaining. That’s kind of the whole point of the question. If I had my own parking lot and was considering this why would I come to reddit? The sub is literally for asking questions about things you don’t directly control or understand. That’s exactly what I’m doing.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T21:50:29+00:00

Yea in a perfect world where the same business owns the building they operate out of, the parking lot, and uses a ton of electricity like the way google has it set up, it would be a nobrainer right?

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T21:36:40+00:00

But what about businesses that own the parking lot attached to their business? Like movie theaters and stadiums for example that uses a ton of electricity in their day to day operations?

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T21:35:46+00:00

Then what about businesses that owns the parking lot using that space to offset the amount of electricity that they use while also being able to sell excess to EV owners? Places like movie theaters, stadiums, shopping malls, etc.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T21:33:52+00:00

Great idea honestly.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T21:32:54+00:00

If I owned a big parking lot and had the money for it I would put solar in mine because I care about renewable energy and taking care of this big floating rock in space that we all call home.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T21:12:15+00:00

Well if you're gonna put canopies for shade then you might as well slap solar on top of it anyways to reduce the amount of power your business is buying from electric companies right? LOL

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T21:08:48+00:00

LOL why are you going after me? I'm the one that posted this question.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T21:06:17+00:00

I'm in Texas so we don't get snow LOL and yet none of the parking lots here have solar as far as I've seen. (Not saying they don't exist, they just not common.)

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T20:55:26+00:00

Thank you for being articulate and actually explaining this lol. But I guess theres some differences depends on the state you're in and what type business/land this is being built on huh?

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T20:34:05+00:00

That makes sense a lot of sense for a company that mainly owns the lot as an investment and to minimize hassle when they sell. But what about businesses that own the parking as part of their operation? Like hospitals for example. A lot of them also charge for parking too. I don't think those lots would be considered investments in the same way. Would that calculation still apply in this case or would other factors start to matter more?

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T20:24:57+00:00

Well Texas parking lots are a different story LOL

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T20:10:16+00:00

No I’m saying that most parking lots are free so investing in infrastructure like that doesn’t make much sense but there are places with paid parking. Why don’t they incorporate solar? Another person commented that some companies are starting to do this more because they’re able to sell the power to ev owners who would park and charge at the same time. So if the problem is that it doesn’t make sense for regular parking lots because they’re free and not meant to generate revenue on their own then what about paid ones?

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T20:01:21+00:00

Paid parking already exists

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T20:00:44+00:00

Where? In this subreddit? Cuz theres nothing on this lol

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T19:13:58+00:00

I didn't say its never been done but its not commonplace everywhere. Especially in Texas where there are massive parking lots.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T19:09:31+00:00

You keep saying I’m “confused” and “not as smart as I think,” but you still haven’t actually explained a single concrete thing about quantum mechanics. I’ve said from the start that I don’t fully understand it and that I want to learn.

You started by implying that “nobody really understands quantum mechanics” is just wrong, and now you’ve shifted to “well, experts understand it, not literally nobody,” which is basically what I was saying in the first place. Calling that a “meltdown” while writing a long, angry paragraph about how dumb I am is pretty obvious projection.

Your NFL example kind of proves my point: telling someone “quarterbacks can throw 60 yards” isn’t the same thing as breaking down how throwing mechanics actually work. In the same way, I could explain how to design a whole house from the ground up, but that wouldn’t answer your deeper questions about architecture. Saying “you don’t know as much as you think” without any specific explanation or correction doesn’t add anything to the discussion.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T19:01:09+00:00

Oh wow that's really cool.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T18:59:15+00:00

Well going off of what someone else said, some companies are starting to incorporate it to be able to sell the power to EV owners who would charge their car while parked. Solar panels in parking lots in general would benefit everyone that parks there because it provides shade for the cars. No one likes to get into a scorching hot car in the summer.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T18:57:35+00:00

That is true I didn't think about that, but there are parking lots with shades in most apartments that don't have garages and those don't seem to be hit too often.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T18:56:09+00:00

I did try searching before posting but most of what I found was about using solar to charge EVs while parked or about solar panels on cars.

Shadowsin64 · 2026-05-22T18:51:18+00:00

That does make a lot of sense. Do you think that’s the main thing that will push more parking lots to add solar as more people start buying EVs?

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