Patent ID: 8387318

Claim:
An open-air parking shelter comprising: a canopy structure comprising a plurality of elongated shading members arranged in spaced apart relation, said spaced apart relation being such that airflow and precipitation is permitted between said elongated shading members; photovoltaic elements provided on said elongated shading members for receiving solar radiation and converting said solar radiation to electricity; a power output coupled to each of the photovoltaic elements for outputting the electricity converted by said photovoltaic elements; a support structure comprising a pillar extending below a central region of the canopy structure configured to support said canopy structure in spaced relation above a ground surface; wherein each of said plurality of elongated shading members has a rounded configuration; wherein said elongated shading members extend parallel to one another, and said support structure further comprises at least one transverse support beam extending perpendicularly to said elongated shading members, wherein the elongated shading members are mounted to said at least one transverse support beam, and the transverse support beam is supported by said pillar; and wherein each said transverse support beam has an undulated configuration such that the elongated shading members are arranged in an undulated configuration along each said transverse support beam.