Solar carpark opened in Salisbury, March 2024
The CPRE report highlights the potential for Solar Car Parks (SCPs) as part of broader community solar initiatives: "Since 2023, it has been a legal requirement for a solar canopy to be installed on all new car parks in France. By incorporating solar energy through the installation of solar modules on car parks and new buildings in the UK, we could generate 31 GW. Collectively, if we utilize all available roof space alongside car parks, the UK could harness an impressive 117 GW, significantly exceeding the government's solar target of 70 GW, and complementing efforts like solar farms across the nation."
Locate solar installations on brownfield and ex-industrial sites; next to transport hubs, motorways and railways. Cover car parks, warehouse roofs, business parks, commercial and public buildings.
Sainsbury's warehouse with rooftop solar panels
The UK Warehousing Association stated in its 2022 report, Investment Case for Rooftop Solar Power in Warehousing: “UK warehousing has the roof space for up to 15 GW of new solar energy, which would double the UK’s solar PV capacity. This could meet National Grid’s minimum requirements for solar expansion by 2030, with potential production of up to 13.8 TWh of electricity per year, enabling the warehouse sector to become a net producer of green electricity while supporting community solar initiatives.”
The Campaign for Protection of Rural England (CPRE) in 2024 emphasizes, “The government must set a target for generating at least 60% of the UK’s solar energy from rooftops and facilitate cheaper installations of solar panels on existing homes and commercial buildings, including those in solar farms.”
It is also crucial to locate solar installations on brownfield and ex-industrial sites, particularly next to transport hubs, motorways, and railways. Utilizing car parks, warehouse roofs, business parks, and commercial and public buildings will further enhance solar energy generation.
We need a joined-up planning and solar policy by national and local government, councils and planners, to provide renewable energy without destroying the UK’s rural communities and landscapes.