Government consultation on mandating solar canopies for car parks

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on a proposal to mandate the introduction of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks.

The call for evidence will also explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks, above a certain size, including car parks in both public and private ownership, and whether multi-storey car parks and residential car parks should be in scope.

Furthermore, the Government wants feedback on other ways that it could increase the deployment of solar canopies on outdoor car parks and views on what further changes can be made to the planning regime when installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points.

It says that as transport remains the largest emitting sector of greenhouse gases, decarbonising road transport through EV adoption is “critical”, requiring a “substantial expansion” of charging infrastructure.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “Right now, the sun is shining on hundreds of thousands of car parking spaces across the country which could be used to power our homes and businesses.

“We want to work with businesses and car park operators to turn our car parks into solar carports to save families and businesses money with clean, homegrown British energy.”

Solar carports are already mandatory in some European countries, including France and Slovenia, providing their countries with an abundance of cheaper solar power.

Initial estimates suggest that an 80-space car park could save around £28,000 per year in electricity bills by installing solar carports and using all electricity generated. The call for evidence is seeking additional evidence on the potential benefits of the policy.

Companies could also make back the cost of installing solar in carparks by selling energy back to the grid or through long-term power purchase agreements.

Future of roads minister, Lilian Greenwood, added: “We’re committed to ensuring electric car drivers are always close to a charger and can save money when making the switch.”

Fleet News previously revealed how a new car port covered in solar panels will cut a council’s energy bill by up to £150,000 a year by powering its HQ and on-site EV charge points.

The solar car port array (pictured above) - one of the biggest of its kind in the UK - was built by Northumberland County Council.

The £3.8 million project, which includes a covered parking area with a canopy made from photovoltaic panels, was designed and built by UK Power Networks Services.