Integrating solar panels into tensile membrane canopies is a question we often hear from our clients. On the surface, it seems like a natural fit: combine shade and shelter with renewable energy generation for enhanced sustainability. However, several technical and design challenges mean it’s not quite that simple – yet.

The Challenges of Adding Solar to Tensile Membranes

RIGID VS FLEXIBLE DESIGN

• Solar panels that deliver meaningful electrical output, enough to provide real value, tend to be rigid and opaque. Tensile membrane canopies, by contrast, are flexible, lightweight, and designed to transmit light. There’s an inherent mismatch in form and function.

MOVEMENT AND FLEXING

• Tensile membrane canopies are engineered to flex with the wind. This natural movement is part of what makes them lightweight and durable. Traditional solar panels and their electrical connections, on the other hand, are designed to sit on rigid frames. Attaching them directly to a moving surface risks damaging the panels, the wiring, or the canopy itself

Potential Solutions

SEPARATE SOLAR FRAMES

• A practical way to incorporate solar is to install panels on adjacent rigid structures, like awnings or pergolas, that sit beside your membrane canopy. This allows you to tap into renewable energy without compromising structural integrity. A registered solar installer can advise on optimal system sizing and projected returns specific to your location.

EMERGING FLEXIBLE SOLAR PANELS

• Flexible or thin-film solar technologies are improving but still carry lower efficiency than their rigid counterparts. These are worth watching for use in niche or experimental builds, but they’re not yet a widely commercial solution for high-output needs. It should be noted that attaching flexible solar to a membrane would potential limit or negate at warranty offered by the membrane manufacturer.

The Bottom Line

Solar integration into tensile membrane structures is possible, but not in the way many people first imagine. The best current approach is to incorporate solar panels on dedicated rigid frames alongside your canopy, while keeping an eye on flexible panel technology as it develops further.

At MakMax, we’re committed to designing long-lasting structures that support sustainability goals. While we don’t currently offer direct solar integration, if you’ve got an idea or concept, we’d love to explore it with you. Together with a registered solar provider, we can tailor a solution that balances aesthetics, performance, and structural harmony.