Why should fleets consider solar carports?

As fleets move to electric vehicles, solar carports are emerging as a smart investment – powering on-site charging and reducing energy costs. With proven case studies already in action, we explore how solar carports can play a key role in decarbonising fleet operations 

As the UK accelerates its transition to net zero, the humble car park is emerging as an unlikely ally in the clean energy revolution. A new government proposal to mandate the installation of solar canopies on outdoor car parks has the potential to reshape urban and commercial energy infrastructure, turning thousands of underutilised spaces into hubs for renewable power.

By integrated EV chargers into solar carport installations, businesses can generate the electricity to power the vehicles, decreasing their carbon footprint and lowering energy costs.

The recently concluded government call for evidence explored the feasibility of making solar canopies mandatory for new outdoor car parks – whether publicly or privately owned – alongside a review of planning policies around EV charging infrastructure. 

Speaking at the launch of the consultation, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband made the vision clear: “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 through our Plan for Change.”

The UK would not be the first to implement such a mandate. Countries like France and Slovenia have already introduced solar carport requirements, harnessing car parks to provide stable, predictable solar energy. 

An untapped potential

For the UK, the potential is immense. An 80-space car park, for example, could generate enough electricity to save around £28,000 a year, assuming all energy is used on site. Add in battery storage or sell surplus energy back to the grid, and the business case becomes even stronger.

For fleet operators, solar carports are becoming a strategic asset, particularly in the context of EV adoption. Co-locating solar generation with charging infrastructure not only reduces electricity costs but also builds resilience into the energy supply chain. With support from government grants, such as the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, and growing commercial case studies, the opportunity is ripe.

One such example is the Dawsongroup vans facility in Milton Keynes, which recently unveiled a state-of-the-art microgrid powered by a 262kWp solar carport system. Two double cantilever carports support a system that includes 34 EV chargers and 300kWh of battery storage. Energy generated on site is stored and used to charge electric vehicles destined for customers, offering both operational savings and emissions reductions. The facility is expected to cut carbon by 65 tonnes annually, and is managed through a smart energy platform which balances energy loads across the solar array, grid, and battery.

Elsewhere, the Bentley Motors manufacturing site in Crewe is home to the largest solar carport in the UK. Its 10,000 solar panels, with a capacity of 2.7 MW, allow Bentley’s entire manufacturing operations to run on clean energy. The build was carefully phased to minimise disruption, a key consideration for large operational sites considering similar installations.
    
In the public sector, Eastbourne District General Hospital recently completed a solar carport installation with over 2,400 panels covering 400 parking spaces. With ten solar-powered EV charging bays and an annual generation capacity of 1,000 MWh, the site is expected to cut 222 tonnes of CO2 in its first year alone. The installation is part of a wider push by the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust to reduce emissions through upgrades such as insulation and heat pumps.

Meanwhile, in the retail space, Gateshead’s Metrocentre has completed a £3.1 million solar project with over 5,300 solar panels spread across rooftop and carport systems. Generating 2.35 MW of electricity – around 40% of the centre’s annual usage – the project demonstrates how commercial centres can tap into solar for cost and carbon savings. With 124 EV chargers already on site and plans to expand to 174 by the end of 2025, the centre is well-positioned to support low-carbon transport.

With the right policy support and planning clarity, the rollout of solar canopies across UK car parks could become a cornerstone of the country’s clean energy future. For fleet operators, solar carports could become a strategic asset when co-located with charging infrastructure. 

^{Image shows Bentley Motors’ manufacturing site in Crewe.}