A dealership rooftop in Valencia protects vehicles and powers the business using back contact modules from LONGi

The roof above Marcos Automoción's parking area already had a purpose. It protected the vehicles below from the Mediterranean sun - and sometimes hailstones like we have seen in recent years around Valencia.

Marcos Automoción partnered with ISER, a Spanish engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company and LONGi Ambassador partner, for the installation. The dealership in Sedaví, near Valencia, now operates a 111.36 kWp solar system comprising 232 LONGi Hi-MO X10 modules. The same structure continues to provide shade for parked vehicles. Now, it also generates clean electricity for the business.

The way dealerships use electricity is changing. They are installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, workshop equipment continues to become more electrified, and climate-controlled showrooms consume large amounts of electricity throughout the day. Producing part of that electricity on-site helps reduce operating costs and supports the dealership's growing electricity demand.

Protection and electricity generation from the same structure

The roof had to continue protecting vehicles while supporting a photovoltaic system capable of producing as much electricity as possible. Vehicle clearance could not change, and the structure also had to withstand the strong winds that regularly affect Spain's Mediterranean coastline. Those requirements shaped the entire design.

"For design reasons, to maximise the available roof space and minimise structural costs, we were looking for a small, high-efficiency module," says Jaime Cardells from ISER. "We found exactly that in the LONGi Hi-MO X10 back contact modules."

The decision runs against one of the strongest trends in today's commercial solar market. According to ISER, industrial facilities in Spain are still more commonly designed with larger module formats, making this project an example of a different design approach.

The available space set the direction for the choice of compact, high-efficiency modules

Every commercial rooftop comes with its own constraints. Roof geometry, structural loading and the intended use of the building all influence the final design.
At Marcos Automoción, those requirements shaped the module choice from the beginning. The installer was looking for a compact, high-efficiency module that would maximise the available roof space and help minimise structural costs. Hi-MO X10 matched those criteria."

The Hi-MO X10 measures 1,800 × 1,134 mm, but still reaches module efficiencies of up to 24.7%. The combination gave ISER greater flexibility when designing the layout without compromising installed capacity.  

Electric mobility changes the building as well

Electric vehicles have changed what happens inside many dealerships. Charging stations have become part of everyday operations, workshops consume more electricity, and climate-controlled showrooms, lighting and office spaces all add to daytime demand. Generating part of that electricity on-site helps reduce operating costs while supporting the dealership's sustainability ambitions.

"For us, it is important not only to sell increasingly efficient cars but also to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible," says Víctor Hernández from Marcos Automoción.

The installation also created additional value from space that was already part of the dealership.

"Spaces that we had previously underutilised now allow us to be much more efficient thanks to photovoltaic installations like this," says Hernández.

Hi-MO X10 combines compact dimensions with high efficiency

Hi-MO X10 combines back contact technology with a compact module format. This allows installers to work around those constraints without sacrificing efficiency. Moving all electrical contacts to the rear of the module also creates a uniform black appearance, an additional advantage for visible commercial buildings such as car dealerships.  

The module also offers strong performance under partial shading, lower operating temperatures in shaded conditions and a 30-year performance warranty. Together, these characteristics support reliable long-term operation.  

"Every dealership already has one important resource: the roof above its parking area. The value comes from using that space as efficiently as possible," said Pau Borredá from LONGi Solar (DG).

At Marcos Automoción, one roof now serves two purposes, protecting the vehicles below and generating clean electricity for the dealership.

Watch the full video here

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