The UK government has called a public consultation on a plan to make all future car parks covered. However, the reason behind the thinking is not to protect cars and occupants from rain, but to capture the power of the sun and turn all car parks into net energy generators. 

Solar panels are a fast increasing source of power right across Europe, but projects, especially in rural areas, can often face planning push back. The idea to use both new and existing outdoor car parks as secondary solar farm is seen as providing a convenient solution. 

The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has launched a consultation on a proposal to mandate the introduction of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks. The department is also seeking views on ways in which solar canopies could be deployed in existing car parks.  

Ex Labour leader, Ed Miliband, who is now Energy secretary, commented, “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, home-grown energy.”

Some European countries, including France and Slovenia, already have such mandates in place.