UK Government Weighs Mandate for Solar Carports on Commercial Sites

The Government is considering a bold new proposal that could require supermarkets, shopping centres, and office buildings to install solar panels over their car parks. Dubbed “solar carports,” these canopies would generate clean energy to power everything from homes to businesses—and even electric vehicles.

Under the plans being examined by Ed Miliband’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, solar panels could become mandatory for new car parks. However, the scope could go further, with officials also looking into the possibility of retrofitting existing parking lots. The feasibility and costs of installing solar panels above parking spaces will also be discussed.

The Government believes this initiative could unlock the full potential of “underutilised” parking spaces, transforming them into energy-generating hubs. This would help power homes and businesses, provide much-needed shade for parked cars, and increase the availability of charging points for electric vehicles.

Energy Secretary Mr 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.”

The Government estimates that an 80-space car park could save around £28,000 per year in electricity bills by installing solar carports and using all the electricity generated.