Rooftop revolution: Why putting solar on car parks makes sense

We’re really pleased the government has finally published its long-awaited consultation on putting solar panels on car park canopies. It’s a big step in the right direction. We’ll be submitting our evidence soon—and pushing for updated planning rules that make solar panels a requirement in car parks.

The truth is, we don’t need to choose between clean energy and protecting the countryside. Instead, we can achieve both by making smarter use of rooftops and car parks.

Surface car parks are often wasted space. However, they have the potential to generate solar electricity close to where it’s needed; like schools, hospitals, and businesses. This saves time for developers and reduces costs for households and businesses.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called rooftop solar a “win-win technology.” Notably, he borrowed that phrase from our campaign.

Moreover, solar on roofs and car parks enjoys strong public support. A recent YouGov poll for CPRE found that 82% of people favour installing rooftop solar. They back panels on all new homes and commercial buildings.

A great example of where car park solar has already been beneficial is at the Bentley Motors headquarters in Crewe.

In 2018, around 10,000 panels on 27 rows of canopies covering 1,378 bays of parking were installed with rooftop solar. As a result, the car park reached an installed capacity of 2.7MW (see Solar Power Portal, 2023b). Today, it generates enough solar energy for 1,750 homes.

There are plenty of good international examples too. France already mandates solar panels on all new car parks over 80 spaces. As outlined in this article, the country reached 50% solar coverage in 2023. As a result, France now benefits from clean energy equal to the output of ten nuclear power stations.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) says the UK should switch to zero-carbon electricity by 2035 to meet net zero. Additionally, the UK needs 85GW of installed solar capacity by 2050 to stay on track. In our Rooftop Revolution Report, based on the University College London (UCL) analysis, we showed car parks could deliver 11.4GW of solar energy.

Together with solar on non-domestic buildings, new builds, and existing homes, England could deliver a total of 117GW.

The climate emergency is the greatest threat to our countryside and planet. We need a rapid transition to clean power and solar is a key part of the energy mix.

By delivering a rooftop revolution, including car parks, the government can address the climate crisis and protect the countryside. This approach also helps prevent mega solar developments from damaging natural landscapes and valuable farmland.

Let’s put an end to ‘wasted space’ and retrofit all suitable domestic, commercial and public buildings with rooftop solar; particularly warehouses and car parks. Find out more about our campaign and add your name to our call for Ed Miliband to get smart on solar.