This week, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero launched a call for evidence to understand how to harness the potential of solar in car parks across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Details released by the Government stated businesses could also save money on their energy bills by turning their carparks into ‘solar carports’.
Initial estimates suggested an 80-space car park could save around £28,000 per year in electricity bills by installing solar carports and using all electricity generated.
Additional information
Companies could also make back the cost of installing solar in carparks by selling energy back to the grid or through long-term power purchase agreements.
Motorists could also benefit from cheaper charging costs through the introduction of solar canopies in car parks. The call for evidence is part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
The call for evidence is seeking additional information on the potential benefits of the policy.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero told The Morning Advertiser (The MA) that pubs with EV car parks would be eligible under the plans, alongside retail firms and offices.
However, the spokesperson stressed the Government is currently calling for evidence and that no policy has been announced.
“All pubs with interest should submit their response for evidence on the Government website”, they said.
Working with businesses
Last summer, Cornish brewer and pub operator St Austell announced plans to install 300 public electric vehicle (EV) chargers across pub car parks in the south-west of England.
Greene King also introduced its first super-fast EV charging facility in 2024, at the Hobby Horse Farm pub in Syston, Leicestershire, with more hubs set to be installed.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “Right now, the sun is shining on hundreds of thousands of car parking spaces across the country which could be used to power our homes and businesses.
“We want to work with businesses and car park operators to turn our car parks into solar carports to save families and businesses money with clean, homegrown British energy through our Plan for Change.”
