Solar carports for business
Solar carports combine three functions in a single installation: weather protection for parked vehicles, on-site renewable generation, and a natural platform for EV charging. For businesses with significant car park areas, this is one of the most efficient uses of otherwise unproductive site space.
We design and install solar carports for offices, retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, and industrial sites across Wales.
Why solar carports make sense
Car parks are typically wasted space from an energy perspective: tarmac that absorbs sunlight and releases it as heat without any productive output. Adding a solar canopy converts this wasted area into a productive generating asset while providing benefits to vehicle owners through weather protection and shaded parking.
Compared to rooftop solar, carport installations cost more per kilowatt because of the additional structural steel and groundworks. However, for businesses without sufficient roof area, carports provide a viable alternative, and for businesses prioritising EV charging integration, they provide the most elegant solution available.
Integration with EV charging
Solar carports are the natural home for workplace and customer EV charging. The same structure that supports the solar panels can incorporate cable management, AC and DC chargers, payment systems, and dynamic load management equipment. Vehicles parked under the canopy are charged directly from the generation above them, creating a visible and intuitive sustainability story.
For fleet operations, carports allow concentrated charging of entire fleets at locations where rooftop solar capacity would be insufficient to meet demand. We have designed several depot-scale solar carports specifically to support fleet electrification programmes.
- Productive use of otherwise unproductive car park space
- Weather protection and shaded parking as a staff benefit
- Natural location for workplace and customer EV charging
- Integrated cable management and payment systems
- Suitable for sites without sufficient roof area
Structural design and aesthetics
Solar carport structures range from simple steel-framed single-row canopies to substantial multi-aisle structures supporting hundreds of vehicles. Aesthetic considerations vary by application: industrial sites prioritise function and cost, while customer-facing retail and hospitality sites often invest more in design quality and finish.
We work with several specialist carport structural designers and can offer a range of architectural styles to suit different site contexts. Planning permission requirements vary by location and structure type, and we handle planning applications as part of the project process where required.
Phasing and modular expansion
Carport structures can be deployed in phases, with initial rows installed alongside grand opening or sustainability launch milestones and additional capacity added as EV charging demand grows. We design with phasing in mind so that subsequent phases match the original installation in appearance and electrical specification.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a solar carport cost compared to roof solar?
Carports typically cost roughly twice as much per kilowatt as rooftop installations because of the additional structural steel and groundworks. They make most sense where roof area is limited or where the additional benefits (EV charging integration, weather protection) are valuable.
Do we need planning permission?
Most solar carport structures require planning permission as they are new structures rather than modifications to existing buildings. We handle planning applications as part of the project.
Can we add EV charging later?
Yes. We can design carports with future EV charging capacity in mind, including reserved switchgear, cable routing, and groundwork.
How visible is the structure from neighbouring properties?
Carports are visible structures and visual impact is a normal planning consideration. We work with planning officers and neighbours to address concerns where they arise.
Sizing and indicative figures
A typical Welsh solar carport for a 50-space car park generates around 120,000 to 160,000 units per year from a 130kW to 180kW system. Project costs vary substantially by structure complexity and architectural finish but typically fall in the £1,500 to £2,200 per kilowatt range, with EV charging infrastructure adding further capital depending on the number and capacity of chargers required.
Payback for solar carports is usually longer than for equivalent rooftop systems, typically in the seven to nine year range for installations without significant EV charging revenue. When fleet charging or paid customer charging is included, payback periods can be substantially shorter because the EV charging displaces fuel costs or generates direct revenue alongside the solar savings.
Planning permission and design
Solar carports are new structures rather than modifications to existing buildings, and most require formal planning permission. The planning process typically takes around eight to twelve weeks for straightforward applications, longer where there are local concerns about visual impact or where the site is in a sensitive location. We handle planning applications as part of the project process, working with planning consultants where the application complexity warrants it.
Maintenance access and operational considerations
Carport structures need ongoing maintenance access for the solar panels, the electrical equipment housed within the structure, and any EV charging infrastructure. We design carports with this access in mind, including walkways, integral cable routing, and equipment housing with easy maintenance access. We also consider winter operations including snow shedding, leaf collection, and the impact of icicles forming on the canopy edge.