Car parks in the UK could soon be covered in solar panels
- UK car parks could soon be mandated to have solar power
- This would turn the parking lots into solar carports
- The solar power could benefit residents, businesses, and EV chargers
Published on May 12, 2025 at 7:37 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on May 08, 2025 at 5:11 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Car parks/parking lots in the UK could soon be covered in solar panels, as part of an effort to reach net zero.
The current Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is seeking to add solar panels to various car parks in the country that serve grocery stores and shopping centers.
The aim would be to create ‘solar carports’ as the UK continues to push for net zero.
A byproduct of this is that residents and businesses would benefit from the extra power generated by the new solar panels.
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The idea to generate carports with solar power has come from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
Miliband is the current head of the department.
There is also likely to be a mandate for car parks to have some form of solar installation.
This is nothing new, as France has done the same thing for some time.
Adding the panels would help increase Britain’s solar generation capacity.
It would also bring it in line with its clean power targets for 2030.
Any mandate would apply to all major car parks in the country.
A bonus for the car park owners is that they would pay less for electricity.
It isn’t just the car park owners who will benefit from the new carports.
The power they generate will also help to supply businesses, electric vehicle chargers, and nearby residents.
That could further reduce electricity costs and also further aid Britain’s net-zero targets.
The DESNZ estimates that supermarkets, retail parks, and even offices could save £28,000 a year by using solar carports.
That equates to roughly $37,000 a year.
Luxury car maker Bentley has already invested in solar technology, installing a solar park at its Crewe headquarters.
Bentley’s carport has 10,000 solar PV modules, each with a capacity of 2.7MW, and it covers an area of 16,426m².
Plus, it has the added benefit of enabling all of Bentley’s manufacturing to be powered by solar and certified green energy.
Should carports become nationwide in Britain, it would appear they come with lots of useful extras.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
