Solar Carports UK
Turn car park tarmac into a revenue-generating solar asset. MCS-certified solar carport installation with integrated EV charging, planning management, and 100% AIA first-year tax relief.
£800–£1,400/kWp
Carport installed cost
88,000 kWh
100kWp annual yield
EV + Solar
Dual revenue streams
100%
AIA first-year relief
Solar Carports: What They Are and Why Businesses Are Installing Them
A solar carport is a dual-purpose structure that shelters vehicles while generating clean electricity above them. Unlike rooftop solar — which requires an existing building with a suitable roof — a carport creates its own structure over any open car parking area. The commercial appeal is straightforward: businesses with car parks, logistics yards, or loading bays can convert unproductive tarmac into a revenue-generating solar asset while simultaneously providing shade for vehicles and a natural mounting point for EV charging infrastructure.
The UK commercial solar carport market has grown rapidly since 2022. Key drivers include: the rapid growth in electric vehicle adoption creating demand for on-site EV charging, the rising cost of electricity making self-generation increasingly valuable, and the recognition by planning authorities that solar carports are a low-impact renewable technology deserving support under national planning policy. Major retailers, logistics operators, hotels, hospitals, and universities are the most active buyers.
Solar Carport System Types
| Type | Description | Best For | Typical kWp Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-pitch canopy | One slope facing south at 10–20° | Small car parks, one-sided access | 10–50 kWp |
| Dual-pitch (inverted V) | Two opposing slopes, central gutter | Double rows, larger car parks | 50–300 kWp |
| T-bar canopy | Single post per bay, low visual impact | Heritage sites, constrained areas | 10–100 kWp |
| Flat canopy | Horizontal plane, no preferential tilt | Urban locations, height-constrained | 20–200 kWp |
| Multi-span canopy | Continuous structure over many rows | Logistics yards, retail parks, airports | 100–2,000 kWp |
| Floating walkway | Raised deck with solar above pedestrian areas | Shopping centres, university campuses | 50–500 kWp |
All types can integrate EV charge points on structural posts at no significant additional structural cost.
Planning Permission for Solar Carports
Unlike rooftop solar, solar carports do not benefit from Permitted Development rights — they are new freestanding structures that require full planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. However, the planning process for solar carports is generally well-supported:
- NPPF (England) supports development of renewable energy at all scales — para 160 specifically encourages microgeneration
- Planning Policy Wales (PPW12) has a general presumption in favour of renewable energy projects
- Scotland's NPF4 (2023) designates renewable energy as a national development — solar carports in Scotland face very favourable planning environment
- Most Design and Access Statements for carports focus on: visual impact from neighbouring properties, drainage management, lighting pollution, and tree/ecology impacts
Typical planning timeline for a solar carport application: 8–13 weeks for a standard application. We manage pre-application advice requests, planning application preparation, and liaison with the LPA as a standard part of our carport project management service.
EV Charging Integration: The Carport Advantage
The structural steel posts of a solar carport provide the most cost-effective route to EV charging infrastructure. Running cable from the inverter room to each post in conduit is far cheaper than trenching across a car park to separate charge point locations. A typical specification integrates:
- One or two 7.4kW Type 2 AC charge points per structural post bay
- Smart charging management system (OCPP-compliant) for load balancing and tariff optimisation
- Solar priority logic: vehicles charge preferentially from solar generation before drawing from the grid
- RFID card or app-based access control for staff and/or public charging
Revenue model options: staff workplace charging (free to employees, Workplace Charging Scheme grant eligible), visitor public charging (10–35p/kWh), or fleet dedicated charging (charging from own solar at near-zero cost). We advise on revenue model optimisation as part of every carport design.
Cost Analysis: Solar Carport vs Rooftop Solar
| Factor | Solar Carport | Rooftop Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost (100kWp) | £90,000–£130,000 | £60,000–£80,000 |
| Planning required | Yes (full application) | Usually PD — no planning |
| Structural survey | Full engineering design | Roof load check only |
| EV charging integration | Simple — post-mounted | Complex — requires trenching |
| Roof condition dependency | None | Roof must be in good condition |
| Additional benefits | Shade, EV, aesthetic | Minimal |
| AIA eligibility | Yes — 100% first year | Yes — 100% first year |
| Payback (with EV revenue) | 3–5 years | 4–7 years (no EV) |
Case Study: 120kWp Solar Carport + 24 EV Chargers, Retail Park, Midlands
A regional retail park with 150 visitor spaces installed a 122kWp dual-pitch solar carport over 80 bays in March 2025, integrated with 24 × 7.4kW AC charge points. Project scope:
- 6 × dual-pitch bays, each 20m wide, covering 80 of 150 spaces
- 309 × 395Wp JA Solar panels on galvanised steel canopy structure
- 2 × 60kW SMA Sunny Tripower CORE2 inverters
- 24 × 7.4kW Easee Charge OCPP smart charge points
- G99 application to NGED East Midlands — 10 weeks
- Full planning permission — 11 weeks (fast-tracked with pre-app advice)
- Workplace Charging Scheme grant: £8,400 (24 sockets × £350)
- Total installed cost: £148,000 (carport) + £36,000 (EV system) = £184,000 net of WCS
Year-1 performance: 108,000 kWh solar generation. On-site consumption (retail HVAC + EV charging): 96%. EV charging revenue to retail operator: £18,200 (24p/kWh × 75,600 kWh sold to visitors). Avoided electricity cost: £9,504. Total year-1 revenue: £27,704. AIA saving: £46,000. Net payback: 5.0 years.
Get a Solar Carport Quote
We design, plan, and install solar carports with integrated EV charging for retail parks, logistics hubs, hotels, hospitals, and corporate campuses across the UK.
Request Carport ProposalRelated Services
- Commercial EV Charging
- Battery Storage for Solar
- Solar Panels for Retail Parks
- Ground-Mounted Commercial Solar
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a solar carport?
A solar carport is a freestanding or canopy structure over a car park or loading bay that carries solar panels on its roof. Unlike rooftop solar, which mounts panels directly to an existing building, a carport is a purpose-built steel structure — typically 4–6 metres high — that shades parked vehicles while generating electricity above them. Solar carports are increasingly popular at retail parks, logistics hubs, supermarkets, hotels, and hospitals as they combine car park shading, EV charging infrastructure, and renewable generation in a single structure.
How much does a solar carport cost in the UK?
Solar carport systems in the UK cost approximately £800–£1,400 per kWp installed, including the steel canopy structure, panels, inverters, cabling, and groundworks. This is 20–40% more expensive than rooftop solar due to the structural steelwork. A 50-space car park solar canopy covering approximately 750m² with a 100kWp system costs roughly £90,000–£120,000 installed. The premium over rooftop solar is partially offset by the ability to generate EV charging revenue and the avoided cost of separate shade structures.
Can solar carports include EV charging?
Yes — integrating EV charging into a solar carport is one of the most compelling commercial applications for the technology. The structural support posts of the canopy provide a natural conduit for cabling to charge points mounted on each post. A 100kWp solar carport with 20 × 7.4kW AC charge points generates approximately 88,000 kWh/year from solar, providing approximately 60,000–70,000 kWh of free EV charging energy annually. The Workplace Charging Scheme provides £350 per charge socket (up to 40 sockets).
Do solar carports require planning permission?
Solar carports almost always require planning permission as they are new freestanding structures. They are not covered by Permitted Development rights for solar, which only apply to panels mounted on existing buildings. However, the planning process is usually straightforward — solar carports are generally supported under national planning policy (NPPF in England, PPW in Wales, NPF4 in Scotland) and most LPA design guides. The key issues are visual impact, drainage, and lighting. We can advise on pre-application enquiries and manage planning applications for your carport project.
How long does a solar carport installation take?
A 50–100 space solar carport installation typically takes 4–8 weeks including groundworks, steelwork erection, panel installation, and electrical commissioning. The critical path items are: planning permission (8–16 weeks if required), structural engineering sign-off, and DNO G99 connection (8–12 weeks). We project-manage the full process including planning, structural design, civil works, electrical installation, and DNO commissioning.
What return on investment can a solar carport deliver?
Solar carports deliver ROI through multiple revenue streams: avoided electricity costs (22–28p/kWh for on-site consumption), EV charging revenue (10–35p/kWh for public or workplace charging), and Smart Export Guarantee payments (3–6p/kWh for surplus exports). A 100kWp carport with 20 EV charge points at a busy retail site could generate £25,000–£45,000/year in combined energy and charging revenue, against an installed cost of £100,000–£130,000 — giving payback of 3–5 years. The Annual Investment Allowance provides 100% first-year tax relief on the full capital cost.
What structures can solar carports be built over?
Solar carports can be designed for standard tarmac car parks, concrete surfaces, gravel areas, and even grass. For tarmac and concrete surfaces, structural posts are typically core-drilled and grouted into the existing surface. For grass or gravel, pad foundations are poured at the base of each post. Existing car park drainage must be assessed to ensure rainfall runoff from the angled solar canopy is directed to existing drainage channels rather than creating pooling. We carry out a pre-design site survey on every carport project.