Public car parks across the UK could soon be fitted with solar canopies to generate cleaner, cheaper electricity for electric vehicle (EV) charging. This is part of the government’s latest efforts to reach Net Zero while also helping drivers save money.
Cheaper charging, cleaner energy
Solar carports – structures that combine parking spaces with solar panels – are already in use in parts of the UK. By generating electricity directly on-site, they reduce the need for expensive grid energy and could significantly cut the cost of public EV charging.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has launched a call for evidence to explore how solar canopies in car parks could be rolled out more widely across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood said:
“We want EV drivers to have easy access to chargers and lower running costs. This initiative helps deliver both – while also supporting the transition to net zero.”
Turning car parks into power stations
Solar carports are already proving successful. The largest example in the UK is at Bentley Motors’ headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire. With 10,000 solar panels and battery storage, it generates 2.7MW of power – enough to cover all of the company’s manufacturing energy needs.
The government believes more sites like this could help supermarkets, retail parks and offices cut their energy bills. An 80-space car park could save around £28,000 a year by switching to solar. Businesses could also earn money back by selling surplus energy to the grid.
In some European countries, like France and Slovenia, solar carports are already mandatory for large car parks.
Benefits beyond energy savings
Solar canopies don’t just generate power. They provide shade, keeping cars cooler in hot weather – a bonus for drivers and passengers alike.
Ben Cox from Sovereign Centros, which runs retail parks and shopping centres, said:
“With over 5,000 solar panels already installed across our sites, we’re committed to sustainable energy solutions. We welcome the government’s call for evidence as an opportunity to do more.”
Real-world examples across the UK
Several councils and organisations have already embraced solar-powered charging:
Dundee Council operates multiple solar charging hubs, including one at Queen Street with 11 solar-powered chargers and another at Clepington Road, which also filters rainwater through its canopy roof.
Greenmarket multi-storey in Dundee uses solar canopies to power 20 EV bays, using a smart system that releases energy when demand is highest.
Second-life EV batteries are also in use, storing solar and off-peak electricity to power thousands of charging sessions more sustainably.
Hospitals and park-and-ride facilities are also seeing benefits:
Eastbourne District General Hospital installed a solar carport that reduced carbon emissions by 222 tonnes in its first year.
Stourton Park & Ride in Leeds features a 1.2MW solar canopy with 26 EV charging bays.
The Metrocentre in Gateshead now sources 40% of its annual electricity needs from over 5,300 solar panels on rooftops and carports.
Private investment driving change
Private companies are also investing. InstaVolt’s Winchester Superhub is the company’s first site with an on-site solar farm and battery system (960kW/4MWh capacity). This setup lowers operating costs and reduces reliance on the grid.
As a result, the standard ultra-rapid charging rate at the site is just 65p per kWh, with off-peak charging (7pm–7am) dropping to 50p per kWh – one of the cheapest pay-as-you-go rates in the country.
