Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Urbanpv, a Swiss start-up specialising in sustainable infrastructure, has launched a game-changing solar carport system that uses mass timber instead of steel—delivering a reported 60% increase in photovoltaic (PV) output over traditional steel-framed designs.
Dubbed the Urbanroof, this 48 kW timber-framed solar carport is designed to maximise energy generation, reduce installation time, and simplify maintenance—all while promoting low-carbon building materials. It marks a significant shift in how car parking structures are conceived and built across Europe.
Glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT) have long been used in low- and mid-rise buildings. But now, they’re making their way into infrastructure previously dominated by steel and concrete—such as carports.
Urbanpv’s system features semi-transparent 470 W solar panels integrated directly into a wide-span glulam truss. The setup covers ten parking bays plus an access lane, offering weather protection, increased solar generation, and optional EV charging and LED lighting features.
The carport’s east–west pitched arrays ensure high performance across the entire day. Fewer vertical columns enhance vehicle access and reduce obstructions, simplifying maintenance and traffic flow.
One of Urbanpv’s key innovations lies in its use of screw-pile foundations, allowing for rapid deployment and minimal ground disruption.
“Larger designs can be ordered, as well as solutions that include optional LED lighting and EV charging equipment,”
said Urbanpv founder Arthur Buechel in an interview with PV Magazine. “The design is fully compatible with robotic panel-cleaning equipment.”
At under 4.5 metres in height, the structure uses prefabricated glulam beams, cedar rafters, and PV mounts, which can be installed on-site swiftly. The use of factory-built components makes the system scalable, cost-effective, and suitable for urban, suburban, and rural applications.
This isn’t the only recent example of timber transforming vehicle infrastructure. At Circle K’s Junction 20 fuel station on the Ireland–Northern Ireland border, steel was recently replaced with glulam beams and cross-laminated timber from Irish Sitka spruce C16.
The project, led by Glenfort Timber Engineering, was recognised as “Best Construct Product” at the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland’s Choice Awards.
“Glulam has a predictable burn rate,” said Glenfort managing director Cathal Campbell.
“We design a sacrificial char layer over the beam size required—so the structure doesn’t bend or buckle like steel in a fire.”
Campbell views both the Urbanpv and Glenfort projects as evidence of mass timber’s potential to deliver high-strength, lightweight, low-carbon solutions across a wide range of applications—from solar carports to fuel station canopies.
Urbanpv’s innovation comes at a time when steel and concrete construction face growing scrutiny for their carbon intensity. Timber, by contrast, offers carbon storage benefits while supporting local forestry industries.
Industry experts note that engineered wood not only lowers embodied carbon, but also provides a warmer aesthetic, enhanced design flexibility, and improved fire performance through smart engineering.
Moreover, the modular approach enables mass production of components, reducing labour costs and speeding up deployment.
As Europe continues to invest in EV infrastructure and sustainable mobility, Urbanpv’s timber solar canopies may become a staple in retail, commercial, and municipal parking environments.
With EV chargers, LED lighting, and robotic panel cleaning all fully compatible, the Urbanroof is positioned to meet the demands of future-ready infrastructure.
The innovation also aligns with Europe’s commitment to carbon neutrality, providing governments and private developers with a scalable, climate-conscious solution.
Urbanpv’s timber-framed solar carports serve as a proof-of-concept for a broader movement: one where mass timber plays a leading role in decarbonising the built environment, including sectors previously untouched by timber.
From city parking structures to rural fuel stations, engineered wood is expanding its domain. And as Arthur Buechel’s company proves, the synergy between timber and technology might just hold the key to cleaner, quicker, and smarter infrastructure.
Source- https://woodcentral.com.
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Tags: glulam carport, low-carbon construction, mass timber construction, timber solar canopy, Urbanpv solar carports, woodworking industry
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