Solar Carport at ZOO Zlín: The Largest Project of its Kind in Moravia

Modern business and public utility infrastructure is currently undergoing a profound energy transformation. Enterprises, production facilities, and large institutions are looking for reliable solutions that combine economic efficiency with care for the natural environment. A perfect example of such an approach is our latest, monumental project in Zlín, Czech Republic. The largest solar carport in Moravia, and simultaneously the second largest in the entire Czech Republic, was built there. 🚁

As a leading manufacturer and supplier of innovative steel structures, we delivered an advanced support system from the URBAN line for this project. This investment sends a clear signal to the B2B market: large-scale commercial parking lots are an ideal, often unutilized space for generating free, green energy.

The Impressive Scale of the ZOO Zlín Project: Ecology Without Compromises

The construction of the parking lot roofing at the zoological garden is a project that impresses with both its technical parameters and logistical scale. The investor’s main goal was to achieve maximum energy independence while increasing visitor comfort and ensuring zero interference with the local ecosystem.

Here are the key facts that best illustrate the scale of this undertaking:

Enormous Power and Efficiency: The total installed capacity is an impressive 723 kWp. Such a volume of generated energy equals the annual electricity demand of approximately 70 single-family homes. To achieve this result, 1,300 modern photovoltaic panels were used.

Energy Independence and Profit: The multi-bay solar carport will cover nearly 30% (almost 1/3) of the zoological garden’s total energy demand. This translates into tangible financial benefits – estimated savings of around 3 million Czech crowns annually.

Visitor Comfort First: Guests were provided with a fully revitalized area. As part of the investment, 400 parking spaces were roofed (approx. 200 of which are free of charge). The solid steel carport structure effectively protects cars from heating up in the sun on hot days and from heavy rain.

Zero Interference with Nature: The entire installation was built on an existing, asphalted parking lot. This means producing 100% clean energy without the need to cut down trees, interfere with the surroundings, or occupy new green areas.

The URBAN Line: A Proven Carport Structure with a Central Pillar

Choosing the right support system is the foundation of a successful investment. In the case of the ZOO Zlín parking lot, our flagship structures from the URBAN line were used – the Urban T and Urban L variants. Why did the investor and general contractor decide on this specific model?

The URBAN series roofs are based on the unique concept of a central supporting pillar. Unlike traditional multi-support solutions, this design completely eliminates barriers in the form of side pillars. This makes maneuvering cars and opening doors freely much easier, which is of paramount importance for safety in such a busy parking lot.

For investors and installers, solar carports from the URBAN family are available in 4 specialized variants:

Urban T (mono-pitch) and Urban Y (dual-pitch) models: These are ideal solutions for large, open commercial parking lots. The central pillar facilitates parking for large vehicles, and the structure itself stands out with a modern, minimalist design.

Urban L and Urban L2 models: These are absolute masters of optimization in narrow spaces. They were designed to work in places where literally every centimeter counts – for example, along building facades, at property boundaries, or along fences. By choosing the L or L2 variant, the investor can optimally direct the roof slope, squeezing 100% profit from the sun.

Additionally, every steel structure we produce is covered with an advanced anti-corrosion coating (including Magnelis®), which guarantees full safety and stability for years, backed by our warranty of up to 20 years.

Premium Equipment: Sealed Roof, LED Lighting, and Guttering

It is worth noting that a solar carport from Amiston is not just a steel frame. For the Zlín project, premium segment solutions were applied to maximize the utility value of the facility.

A key element increasing the parking lot’s functionality is the sealed roof. This is a standard feature in our advanced structures that provides a full guarantee of protection against leaking. The use of specialized aluminum sealing strips ensures total resistance to the harshest weather conditions, effectively protecting the property located under the structure.

A professional gutter mounting system was integrated with the roof system. Made of high-grade aluminum, stainless steel, and zinc coatings, it ensures rapid drainage of rainwater and complete corrosion resistance.

The entire setup is complemented by integrated LED lighting fixtures. These energy-saving modules guarantee a bright and safe parking environment after dark, without generating high electricity bills. Providing light intensity from 20 lx to 75 lx (in accordance with the strict PN-EN 12464-2 standard), they create a space that is fully friendly for families visiting the zoo. 💡

Design Office and ESI Planner Support

Such a logistically complex project required excellent preparation even before the first shovel hit the ground. At Amiston, behind every one of our products stands a team of qualified design engineers. Our internal design office is responsible for full technical correctness and provides comprehensive documentation, which is a secure foundation for the entire construction process.

In the bidding process for B2B companies, our proprietary ESI Planner plays an increasingly important role. It is an innovative, interactive 3D platform that allows for precise planning of carports on the investment map. Thanks to it, clients can personalize model selection in real-time, analyze support spacing, and verify visualizations in their chosen colors (e.g., RAL palette). This type of technological support makes the path from concept, through EXC3 class production, to assembly itself, predictable and professional.

Making Headlines! Czech Media on Our Implementation

We absolutely did not expect such a positive and widespread media reception in the Czech Republic – we are immensely proud of it. The largest solar carport in Moravia at ZOO Zlín has generated massive interest from the local press, business portals, and television stations.

Media beyond our southern border are delighted by the fact that our structures combine a step towards completely green energy with invaluable utility value. Journalists repeatedly emphasize the efficiency of the installation, which will meet one-third of the electricity consumption of the entire garden.

We thank the Czech journalists for the great reception and professional reports. The innovative parking lot roofing was featured in the main broadcasts of the TN Nova station, among others.

Those interested in the details are invited to read external publications (here we insert links for readers and for SEO positioning – links open in a new tab):

Zlínská zoo dokončila fotovoltaickou elektrárnu na parkovišti – Metro.cz daily

Nová fotovoltaika na parkovišti pokryje třetinu spotřeby – Zlínský Deník portal

Fotovoltaika místo asfaltu. Zlínská zoo otevírá solární parkoviště – iRozhlas.cz portal

The publicity gained by the project in Zlín reassures us that the modular PV support systems we create are the optimal path for the future of sustainable business. We are ready to support more companies, distributors, and installers in creating equally impressive and profitable installations.

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