The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has abandoned proposals to require solar photovoltaic canopies on new car parks, citing cost concerns raised during consultation. While the Future Buildings Standard still permits voluntary installation, the decision marks a retreat from France-style mandates despite the UK’s clean power ambitions.

Guest - Solar Panel ( West Brom Branch) Image 1

Solar panels on Guest’s West Brom branch

The government has decided it will not take forward plans to require public car parks to be partially covered with solar photovoltaic canopies.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) spokesperson said: “After careful consideration and close engagement with industry, we have decided against mandating solar panels on new car parks. Solar remains central to our clean power mission, and we continue to support solar panels on new buildings – including in carparks – through the Future Buildings Standard.”

The option for new non-domestic buildings to install PV canopies remains open via the Future Buildings Standard. Under this standard, new non-domestic buildings are expected to install solar panels over an area equivalent to 40% of the building’s ground floor, which could be met either through rooftop solar or car park canopies.

The proposal was the subject of a call for evidence from 7 May to 18 June last year, alongside planning for EV chargers.

The consultation sought evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the introduction of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks, above a certain size. It included car parks in both public and private ownership.

However, responses suggested that there was a risk that the benefits of solar canopies in car parks would not outweigh the upfront costs.

The UK consultation followed new regulations in France which require outdoor car park managers to cover half of the surface area of their car parks with solar panels. It has a staged implementation, but says that 1 July 2028, all outdoor car parks with an area greater than 1,500 sq m (16,100 sq ft) must have 50% coverage.

DESNZ published a summary of responses to the EV charging section of the consultation, together with ‘next steps’, however this was focused on small vehicles.

It said: “The government continues to support the rollout of EV charging through policy, regulation and funding. However, given the need to have an EV charging infrastructure network that ensures that everyone, everywhere can make the switch to an EV, and keep pace with vehicle uptake supported by measures including the ZEV mandate and the Electric Car Grant, further action is needed. The planning system needs to enable large-scale infrastructure delivery.” It promised to launch a training and capability package for local planning authorities and developers

 

 

Janet is currently the editor of New Power (www.newpower.info), a monthly report and database on UK power sector development and the UK’s evolving energy industry. She has been a journalist covering the power and energy sector for 25 years, covering technology, policy and politics as editor of magazines including Power Engineering, Asian Electricity, Middle East Electricity and Utility Week.View full Profile

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