A government consultation seeking views on proposals to mandate solar power canopies for new outdoor car parks is now underway.

The call for evidence explores how to harness the untapped potential of solar in car parks

Launched by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the call for evidence seeks to understand how to harness the untapped potential of solar in car parks, aka solar carports, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

According to DESNZ, supermarkets, retail parks and offices could save up to tens of thousands on their energy bills per year by installing solar power in their car parks.

The consultation seeks evidence and feedback on the proposal and opportunities for deployment on existing car parks, above a certain size; this includes car parks in both public and private ownership. Subject to this call for evidence, multi-storey car parks and residential car parks could also be brought in scope.

Solar carports are already mandatory in some European countries, including France and Slovenia, providing their countries with an abundance of cheaper solar power, and are coming under increasing focus in the UK  as a way to harness the underutilised expanse of urban car parks. Energy Systems Catapult, an independent research and technology organisation, has said that deploying roof-mounted panels above each bay would enable fleets to generate clean electricity onsite, reduce grid reliance and lower charging costs, while shielding vehicles from the elements.

The DESNZ call for evidence says that by installing solar canopies on car parks, the UK can “harness their untapped surface area for renewable energy generation – making much more effective use of the land – while providing a new revenue stream for owners at the same time”.

Solar canopies have also been proven to improve the experience for customers, providing shaded cover for cars during heatwaves, creating a cooler environment for both vehicles and pedestrians.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “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 through our Plan for Change.”

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

Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE – the asset manager of Metrocentre – said: “With the largest number of EV charging points of any shopping centre in the country, and over 5,000 PV panels in action, including those on car ports in Green and Blue Mall car parks, we have already taken great steps to secure a more sustainable future.

“We welcome the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero’s call for evidence, which will allow us to invest further into these facilities to support the Government’s national agenda.”

The call for evidence also seeks views on what further changes can be made to the planning and permitting regime when installing electric vehicle charge points to make the process easier, quicker and cheaper.

The call for evidence is open until 18 June 2025. Further details are here.