Solar canopies driving the UK's renewable transition

As the UK moves toward net zero, solar car park canopies present a smart way to produce clean energy, boost EV use, and improve urban spaces. This article reviews the UK government’s recent call for evidence and key factors for successful rollout.

Background – current call for evidence

In early 2025, the UK government launched a call for evidence to assess the feasibility of mandating solar canopies on new outdoor car parks. This initiative, part of the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan (Clean Power 2030), aims to:

• increase solar energy generation
• reduce energy costs
• improve customer experience by providing shaded parking
• strengthen EV charging infrastructure, by providing on-site renewable energy, reducing grid dependency, and enabling faster deployment of charge points
• future deployments may also integrate energy storage systems alongside solar canopies, enhancing grid resilience and enabling better load management.

The call for evidence aligns with the UK’s solar roadmap, published on 30 June 2025, which highlights solar carports as a key opportunity for expanding solar capacity with minimal planning hurdles. The roadmap placed strategic emphasis on leveraging existing infrastructure to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions across the country.

The consultation period closed on 18 June 2025.

Energy grid reform

The success of solar canopy deployment is closely tied to broader energy grid reform in the UK. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), UK auto plants generated a record 60.3 GWh of renewable electricity in 2024, largely through solar and wind installations. However, manufacturers face grid connection delays averaging nearly 14 years, which threaten to stall progress on clean energy adoption and EV production.

As solar carports and EV charging hubs become more prevalent, urgent reform is needed to streamline grid access and reduce energy costs—currently double the European average.

France and Slovenia examples

In France, solar carports have become a cornerstone of national energy policy, with legislation enacted in mid-2023 mandating solar panel installations on car parks with 80 or more spaces. This initiative is expected to generate up to 11 gigawatts of renewable energy—comparable to the output of ten nuclear reactors—while transforming underutilised urban infrastructure into clean energy assets.

Slovenia, though smaller in scale, has embedded solar carports into its broader sustainability agenda to support EV adoption and reduce carbon emissions.

Both countries show how regulatory mandates can accelerate the deployment of solar infrastructure, offering lessons for the UK as it considers similar measures under the Clean Power 2030.

Company car parks v retail carparks

Implementation varies significantly between single-owner sites and multi-tenant retail parks. For instance, Aviva has successfully installed solar canopies at its Norwich site, which it owns and operates exclusively. In contrast, retail parks often involve multiple businesses, which complicates coordination and investment.

Arguments for solar carports

1. Reducing carbon emissions: By generating renewable energy, solar car park canopies help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
2. Providing shade for vehicles: These canopies offer shade for parked vehicles, protecting them from direct sunlight. This can help keep vehicles cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning and thereby saving energy.
3. Use of renewable energy: energy generated from solar panels can be used to power nearby buildings, electric vehicle charging stations, or even be fed back into the grid.
4. Enhancing aesthetic appeal: Solar car park canopies can improve the visual appeal of car parks and help businesses enhance their image and promote sustainability.
5. Supporting green initiatives: By adopting solar car park canopies, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to green initiatives and sustainability. This can enhance their reputation and attract environmentally conscious customers and stakeholders.

Challenges

1. Initial upfront cost: The upfront investment required for installing solar car park canopies can be substantial. This includes the cost of solar panels, structural materials, and labour. This may deter some organisations from adopting this technology.
2. Maintenance: Proper maintenance, including regular cleaning and inspections, is crucial to ensure the longevity and efficiency of solar car park canopies. Neglecting maintenance can lead to reduced energy output and increased repair costs.
3. Space requirements: Solar car park canopies require a significant amount of space for installation. This can be a challenge in densely populated urban areas where available space is limited. Additionally, the design and layout of the car park must be carefully planned to accommodate the canopies without obstructing vehicle movement.
4. Weather conditions: The efficiency of solar panels can be affected by weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or prolonged periods of cloud cover. These factors can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the panels, thereby decreasing energy production.
5. Regulatory and permitting issues: Obtaining the necessary permits and complying with local regulations can be a complex and time-consuming process. This may involve navigating zoning laws, building codes, and environmental regulations, which can vary significantly depending on the location. However, Clean Power 2030 has invited feedback on how planning frameworks can be adapted to address these concerns, by supporting solar canopy deployment.

Client example

We are seeing an increase in client activity involving solar carports, which includes the recent sale of 3TI Energy Hub’s solar carport construction division (including its solar car park, rooftop and ground-mount portfolio) to Egg, a Liberty Global-backed clean energy specialist. 3TI will now focus entirely on scaling its Smart Solar EV Charging Hub, a rapidly deployable containerised EV charging solution, as Egg looks to expand its solar infrastructure across the UK, with hopes to benefit from potential UK government mandates for solar car parks, similar to those already in place in France.

Conclusion

Solar canopies represent a promising intersection of clean energy, transport innovation, and urban design. As the UK explores regulatory pathways and stakeholder input, lessons from France and Slovenia and practical insights from domestic deployments – will be key to shaping a scalable, sustainable rollout.