Comment by Sandeep Kang, Senior Product Manager at Energy Systems Catapult.

Councils are caught in an unenviable catch 22: land is at a premium, yet the need to deploy renewable capacity grows increasingly urgent, more so for those that have committed to a 2030 net zero goal. Rooftop solar is a mainstay of council‑led decarbonisation, but many urban areas lack enough contiguous roof space or sites for ground‑mounted solar farms. Solar carports are a practical, high‑impact solution, transforming existing parking estates into low‑carbon generation hubs without needing added land allocation.

Power up your parking

Solar PV in the UK has expanded rapidly: between January 2024 and January 2025, installed capacity rose by over 1.15 GW, taking the national total to almost 17.9 GW. In 2023 alone, solar generated roughly 27.2 TWh of electricity, equivalent to around 10% of Britain’s annual demand​.

This growth belies an even larger untapped resource, our 629,000‑plus public and private parking spaces. You read that right. We have hundreds of thousands of 2.4 metre by 4.8 metre potential power stations dotted across the country. Research shows that equipping just half a million suitable parking bays with canopies could yield 1.57 GW of additional capacity and over 1,450 GWh of clean energy each year​.

For local authorities, the appeal of solar carports extends beyond raw generation figures. Parked cars stay cooler under PV canopies, reducing urban heat island effects and vehicle air‑conditioning loads. Canopies can be designed to integrate electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, local energy storage and management, providing clean electricity and decarbonising local transport. And because car parks sit next to existing distribution networks, grid connections often require minimal reinforcement, keeping project development costs in check.

From plan to canopy

One local authority recently showed an innovative approach in exploring alternative solar deployments. Following the completion of its Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP), the authority was keen to progress the identified sustainability pathways despite facing the urban challenge of limited suitable land for traditional solar farms.

The authority already had an impressive record in renewable energy, with an operational solar farm, a hydro scheme, and a heat network under development. Yet it recognised that meeting ambitious Net Zero targets required a new approach.

To find suitable locations for solar carports, the authority partnered with Energy Systems Catapult. A comprehensive dataset was developed, to identify existing car parks suitable for solar carport installation and estimated the potential energy generation capacity at each site. The data assessed the electricity network capacity in the surrounding areas and reported on available headroom at nearby substations. The dataset was delivered within eight weeks, a pace considerably faster than traditional consultancy methods.

What is the national opportunity?

Energy Systems Catapult’s Net Zero Data has mapped 252,996 council-owned car parks across the UK. Together, they represent up to 24 GW of deployable PV capacity, with estimated annual generation of 23 TWh (18.75 TWh / 1.23 TWh / 2.11 TWh respectively)​. Even installing canopies on just the top 5% of these sites would yield around 1.6 GW of capacity and 1.5 TWh per year, enough to power over 400,000 average UK homes. Expanding to 10% coverage boosts figures to almost 2.9 GW and 2.75 TWh annually.

To put these numbers in context, National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios forecasts UK electricity demand growing to between 533 TWh and 700 TWh by 2050​. Even at the lower bound, fully using just 5% of council car park potential could contribute nearly 0.3% of future demand, an appreciable slice for a single asset class.

Making the business case

The financial and operational case for solar carports is compelling:

• Reduced energy costs: On‑site generation can be consumed behind the meter, lowering wholesale purchases for council buildings, leisure centres and street lighting.
• New revenue streams: Surplus exports can be sold into the wholesale market or via private‑wire arrangements, attracting third‑party investment and lowering capital outlay.
• EV charge point integration: Bundling PV with charging infrastructure increases utilisation rates potentially reducing the cost of the electricity being supplied to the chargers by using onsite generation, generating greater margins on charging revenues, and strengthening a project’s overall return.
• Maintenance synergies: Co‑locating PV arrays with council maintenance depots can streamline O&M schedules and share security infrastructure.

Overcoming hurdles

Despite the clear upside, solar carports have not yet become ubiquitous. Key barriers include:

1. Data gaps: Without granular intelligence on roof geometry, shading and local network headroom, councils may err on the side of caution or abandon studies prematurely.
2. Grid interface complexity: Early engagement with Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) is essential to understand reinforcement requirements and avoid late‑stage surprises.
3. Planning and heritage constraints: In conservation areas or listed sites, canopy design may need to be sensitively tailored to local character.
4. Internal capacity: Many authorities lack in‑house technical expertise to scope, procure and manage bespoke solar canopy projects.

By partnering with bodies such as Energy Systems Catapult, councils can access turnkey data solutions that streamline each phase of delivery. This collaborative model reduces reliance on lengthy, high‑cost consultancy engagements and embeds best‑practice insights directly into local decisions.

For councils ready to unlock the full potential of solar technology, our datasets offer the insights needed to turn ambition into action. Check out Net Zero Market.