GE and Inovateus Solar Team Up to Deliver Scalable Solar EV Charging Carport
Earlier this summer, GE made headlines with the installation of a cutting-edge solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging carport in Plainville, Connecticut. The 100-kilowatt-hour structure, designed to charge up to 13 EVs per day, isn’t just forward-thinking—it’s functional, sleek, and scalable.
Now, that prototype has sparked something bigger.
At Greenbuild 2011, the world’s largest green building conference, GE Energy Industrial Solutions and U.S.-based Inovateus Solar officially announced a new partnership agreement. Their goal? To replicate and expand the solar carport concept nationwide.
GE solar EV carport: A Modern Take on an Old Staple
Forget your father’s carport. This new solar installation is engineered for 21st-century mobility. The system features solar photovoltaic panels that generate enough electricity to:
- Fully power six Level 2 GE DuraStation™ EV chargers
- Juice up to 13 electric vehicles daily
- Provide excess energy for parking lot lighting
The Plainville installation served as the model—a proof of concept that clean energy and clean transportation can merge effortlessly in real-world settings.
Scalable, Sustainable, Smart
Under the agreement, GE and Inovateus will begin rolling out similar solar-powered carports across a range of sectors, including:
- Universities and colleges
- Municipal and government buildings
- Corporate office campuses
- Sports and entertainment venues
Each installation will be tailored to meet specific needs while leveraging a unified technology stack. That includes:
- GE EverGold™ solar combiner boxes
- GE safety switches and power panels
- GE DuraStation™ and WattStation™ EV charging systems
The emphasis is on turnkey design and smart scalability, meaning these systems can be adjusted based on size, energy needs, and the number of EVs supported.
Leadership in Clean Tech Collaboration
“This agreement is a fantastic opportunity that will help us bring to market and develop new systems for generating renewable energy,” said T.J. Kanczuzewski, president of Inovateus Solar.
The partnership demonstrates how corporate collaboration can lead to real innovation. GE contributes decades of experience in industrial power solutions, while Inovateus brings solar integration and distribution expertise to the table. Together, they’re setting a new standard for sustainable mobility infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
This news couldn’t come at a better time. As EV adoption accelerates and cities look for carbon-neutral solutions, solar carports offer a two-for-one benefit: clean charging infrastructure and on-site renewable generation.
Expect to see more of these solar canopies popping up across the country—quietly charging EVs and lighting lots while lowering emissions and utility costs.
In Plainville, the future of transportation isn’t just parked—it’s powered by the sun.
Posted: November 2011
By: Seth Leitman, The Green Living Guy
Sources:
GE Reports – Greenbuild 2011 Partnership Coverage
Additional Sources:
- Envision Solar (Archived 2012 content available via Wayback Machine)
- California Energy Commission
- Plug In America – Charging Infrastructure Reports
OCTOBER 5, 2011
