Large commercial car parks represent substantial areas of underused space across the UK and Europe. As businesses seek more onsite renewable generation and prepare for increasing electric vehicle charging demand, solar carports offer a way to turn existing parking areas into energy-generating infrastructure.
Solarport argues that applying engineering principles from utility-scale ground-mounted PV to commercial car parks can help these systems meet the structural, operational and electrical requirements of larger projects.
A market ready for change
The UK alone has more than 49,000 privately operated car parks, according to government documentation cited in the feature. At the same time, commercial and industrial sites are looking to reduce dependence on grid electricity, manage energy costs and improve long-term energy resilience.
Policy could accelerate adoption. In May 2025, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero launched a consultation on requiring solar canopies on new outdoor car parks across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Government modelling cited in the feature estimated that an 80-space solar carport could deliver annual savings of around £28,000 through onsite electricity use and exports.
France has already introduced legislation requiring solar panels on car parks with 80 or more spaces.
Engineering for commercial sites
Carports must do more than support PV modules. They need to withstand environmental loads while maintaining safe access for vehicles and pedestrians.
Important design considerations include:
Solarport says its PowerPark PRO range applies engineering experience from utility-scale ground-mounted solar to these requirements.
The range comprises four structural variants designed for different layouts and orientations. The company states that the structures are engineered for a basic wind velocity of 30 m/s and snow loads of 0.9 kN/m², with a standard 25-year above-ground warranty.
These are company-specific design and warranty claims.
Different canopy configurations can cover substantial parking areas while retaining the space beneath for vehicles.
Connecting solar with EV charging
Solar carports also provide an opportunity to combine generation with electric vehicle infrastructure.
With the UK targeting 300,000 public charge points by 2030, commercial properties may face increasing electrical loads. Generating electricity directly above parking spaces can supply part of this demand onsite.
Potential benefits include:
Solarport says its carport structures include provisions for inverter installation and cable routing for EV charging points.
Delivery is part of the challenge
For larger commercial projects, installing the technology efficiently can be as important as specifying it correctly.
Through subsidiary SPS PowerBuild, Solarport offers site assessment, civil engineering, structural and mechanical work and low-voltage electrical installation.
The company also supplies its carport systems on a design and manufacture basis for developers, engineering, procurement and construction contractors (EPCs) and installers with their own delivery capabilities.
This reflects a broader challenge for commercial solar: generation equipment, structural engineering, electrical infrastructure and construction all need to work together within an operating site.
From parking space to energy infrastructure
Solarport states that it has more than 3 GWp of experience in ground-mounted PV design, engineering and installation delivery. Its move into commercial carports applies that background to sites where land is already allocated to another purpose.
As regulation develops and businesses face continued pressure to manage energy costs and carbon emissions, car parks could become a more significant part of distributed solar generation.
The argument is not simply that solar panels can be placed above parked vehicles. Properly engineered carports can combine shelter, renewable generation and EV charging while making additional use of existing commercial space.
For property owners, developers and operators, that could turn an overlooked area of hardstanding into a productive part of the site’s energy infrastructure.
Explore the full feature from Solarport on commercial solar carports, structural engineering and EV charging integration in PES Solar: https://pes.eu.com/exclusive-articles/turning-car-parks-into-energy-assets-the-rise-of-commercial-solar-carports