Skip to content
All about technology. — Real-estate

Solar panel installation over car parks to facilitate electric vehicle (EV) charging, contributing to the ongoing Net Zero initiative.

Solar canopies, commonly known as solar carports, could take prominence in UK parking areas, driven by government's efforts to boost affordable electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
Solar canopies, often called solar carports, could potentially become common in UK parking lots, as...
Solar canopies, often called solar carports, could potentially become common in UK parking lots, as the government aims to promote cost-effective electric vehicle charging.

Solar panel installation over car parks to facilitate electric vehicle (EV) charging, contributing to the ongoing Net Zero initiative.

Get ready to juice up your electric vehicle (EV) on the cheap with the government's new plan for 'solar car parks'.

The idea behind solar canopies over car parks is to provide EV drivers with a more affordable charging option while also easing the strain on motorists' wallets. Plus, fewer solar panels would be needed on fields, making the whole setup even greener.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has issued a call to action, aiming to uncover ways to make the most of these untapped solar resources in car parks across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Lilian Greenwood, Future of Roads Minister, voices her support for the plan: "We're all about ensuring electric car drivers have easy access to a charger and the chance to save some cash when making the switch. Today's move is another step in harnessing the net-zero transition to give drivers more options and help them travel with peace of mind."

The Government provided a few examples of solar carports, with Bentley Motors in Cheshire taking the leading role. This automated factory is home to 10,000 solar panels that together produce 2.7MW of power. These panels work seamlessly with 6.6MW of battery storage, ensuring all Bentley's manufacturing operates I00% solar-powered.

The Government's initiative seeks to reduce EV charging costs using clean, renewable energy provided by solar carports. This effort aligns with their comprehensive Plan for Change and would benefit not only drivers but also supermarkets, retail parks, and offices by trimming their energy bills.

Estimated savings for an 80-space car park could reach up to £28,000 per year. These savings could be bolstered by companies recouping their solar installation costs by selling excess energy back to the grid.

Some European countries already enforce solar carports, such as France and Slovenia, citing the cost-effective solar power they provide.

Additionally, solar canopies offer a shaded, cooler environment for both cars and customers, as well as contributing to a more sustainable future.

According to Ben Cox of Sovereign Centros, who runs various shopping centers and retail parks, "Our centers have the largest number of EV charging points of any shopping center in the country, and over 5,000 PV panels in action, including those on car ports in Green and Blue Mall car parks. We welcome the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero's call for evidence which will allow us to invest further in these facilities to support the government's national agenda."

Many car parks in the UK are already equipped with solar canopies, and the government's proposal could prompt a surge in installations to meet the increasing demand for EV charging and clean energy.

On a related note, read our articles on cutting your car insurance costs and visiting Dundee Council's solar charging hubs to learn more about the solar power revolution in the automotive world.

SOURCES:

  • [1] Dundee Council's Solar Charging Hubs (This is Money)
  • [2] Electric-car-friendly solar canopies (BBC)
  • [3] Solar-powered EV charging explosion (Autocar)
  • [4] Government Approves Solar Carport Investment (The Guardian)
  • [5] Solar Carports Transform EV Charging Landscape (Automobility News)
  1. The government's new plan for solar car parks aims to provide electric vehicle (EV) drivers with a more affordable charging option, while also reducing the strain on motorists' wallets and making the setup greener.
  2. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has issued a call to action, targeting ways to make the most of solar resources in car parks across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
  3. Lilian Greenwood, Future of Roads Minister, supports the plan, stating that easy access to chargers and cost savings are essential for electric car drivers.
  4. The Government's initiative seeks to reduce EV charging costs using clean, renewable energy provided by solar carports, benefiting not only drivers but also supermarkets, retail parks, and offices by trimming their energy bills.
  5. Estimated savings for an 80-space car park could reach up to £28,000 per year, with companies potentially recouping solar installation costs by selling excess energy back to the grid.
  6. Many European countries, such as France and Slovenia, have already enforced solar carports due to the cost-effective solar power they provide, and the UK government's proposal could prompt a surge in installations to meet the increasing demand for EV charging and clean energy. Additionally, solar canopies offer a shaded, cooler environment for both cars and customers, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest