Shade is an undervalued commodity. While it doesn’t lower the actual air temperature, it dramatically cools how we feel by blocking direct sunlight and preventing nearby surfaces from heating up. This is why stepping into the shade can feel 10–15º cooler almost instantly. Yet, shade is often treated as an afterthought. Something that occurs via another element of the design – but is rarely integrated into the design itself. Solar canopies and carports offer a powerful solution: they reduce heat while producing clean energy. If suitable U.S. parking lots were covered with solar, they could generate an estimated 1,500 TWh of electricity per year—nearly 40% of national demand. Solar shade structures create a win-win: cooler spaces, more valuable properties, and healthier, more livable communities.