TechnicalIntroduction
Car parks are no longer merely passive spaces; they are rapidly emerging as strategic energy assets. In the UK, escalating electricity prices, robust net-zero commitments, and the electrifying pace of EV adoption make solar carport systems an ideal solution. By installing photovoltaic (PV) canopies over parking areas, organisations can reduce energy bills, support EV charging needs, and showcase their environmental credentials. However, to fully unlock these benefits, meticulous technical planning is essential.
Designers must anticipate shading, validate structural integrity, model energy flows, and ensure financial viability. At the heart of this process lies a sophisticated PV design software, tools like archelios PRO. This guide delves into how solar carport systems can meet UK regulatory requirements, drive financial returns, and support sustainable mobility, while examining the software needed to plan and execute top-tier projects.
Definition and Functionality of a Solar Carport System
A solar carport system is essentially a canopy installed above parking spaces, integrating PV panels to generate renewable energy while protecting vehicles from the elements. These systems typically consist of a durable steel or aluminium structure, standard or bifacial PV modules, inverters, cabling, and protective infrastructure. Many projects also integrate electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and battery storage to create a fully functional energy ecosystem.
During operation, sunlight hits the PV panels and is converted into direct current (DC), which is then transformed into alternating current (AC) via inverters. The electricity produced can either be used on-site, powering facilities, lighting, or EV chargers, or exported to the grid under various support schemes such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Advanced systems leverage bifacial modules and high-albedo surfaces such as concrete or tarmac to capture reflected sunlight, turning the carport into a localized energy generation and distribution hub.
UK Regulation & Market Potential
Regulatory Context
The UK government’s Clean Power 2030 strategy aims to deliver 45–47 GW of new solar capacity by 2030. Recent policy developments include proposals to mandate solar canopies on new car parks in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, mirroring France’s threshold of 1,500 m². Simultaneously, a £180 million funding programme supports solar carport installations in schools and hospitals, signalling strong governmental enthusiasm. These moves align with broader net-zero goals and energy market restructuring.
Existing Car Park Stock
A recent study by RenEnergy estimates that private businesses in the UK manage approximately 629,900 parking spaces, translating to roughly 7,870 large sites capable of hosting solar carport systems. In addition, educational and medical institutions account for around 151,000 spaces across some 1,890 locations, while public sector car parks contribute substantially to the landscape. These numbers suggest hundreds of thousands of locations are ripe for solar canopy implementation.
Top 3 UK Sectors with Large Parking Areas:
| Rank | Sector | Number of Large Car Parks* |
| 1 | Private businesses (hotels, retail, etc.) | ~629,900 spaces (~7,870 sites) (renenergy.co.uk) |
| 2 | Educational & medical institutions | 151,000 spaces (~1,890 sites) |
| 3 | Council/public car parks | 252,996 sites mapped |
*Based on parking spaces ≥20 m², aggregated into ~80-space units for system sizing.
Technical Potential and Energy Production
RenEnergy’s research reveals that private-sector car parks alone could support 1.57 GWₚ of solar capacity, producing approximately 1.456 TWh of electricity annually, enough to supply over 400,000 average UK homes. Broader deployment, including selective public-sector sites, could elevate capacity to 1.6 GWₚ, generating an additional 1.5 TWh. Notably, public institutions such as hospitals and schools also present significant opportunity: scaling carports across these facilities could yield roughly 0.35 GWₚ and generate 0.35 TWh per year, powering around 97,000 homes.
UK Solar Carport System Potential
| Rank | Segment | Capacity Potential (GWₚ) | Annual Output (TWh) |
| 1 | Private business car parks | 1.57 GWₚ | 1.456 TWh/year |
| 2 | Top 5 % of public carpark sites | 1.6 GWₚ | 1.5 TWh/year |
| 3 | Schools & hospitals | 0.35 GWₚ | 0.35 TWh/year |
These figures underscore the substantial, yet still largely untapped, opportunity for solar carport systems across the UK.
Advantages of a Solar Carport System
Solar carport systems deliver compelling financial and operational benefits. A typical installation on an 80-100 space lot can generate annual savings between £28,000 and £90,000, with payback periods ranging from seven to ten years, figures that depend on system size, tariff structures, and export models under SEG and PPA frameworks. These systems also reduce reliance on the national grid, supporting energy independence.
Integration with EV infrastructure represents another major advantage. With around 1.4 million EVs on UK roads, powering vehicles through solar canopies provides both cost benefits and positive user experience, all while reducing grid stress during peak demand.
Cultural and brand impacts are also significant: visible solar installations signal real environmental commitment. This enhances ESG credentials, supports certifications like BREEAM and ISO 50001, and improves corporate reputation in the eyes of customers, regulators, and investors. Moreover, solar carport systems fit into the broader national agenda, helping the UK reach its solar target of 18 GW in 2025, which already produces 5% of UK electricity, and driving further expansion toward the Clean Power 2030 goals.
Designing a Solar Carport System with archelios PRO
To design a carport system that delivers on these promises, strong technical capabilities are required. archelios PRO offers that through a comprehensive software suite adapted to the UK environment. It begins with accurate 3D modelling, leveraging satellite or CAD data to define parking layouts, carport parameters like tilt and height, and shading elements from surrounding trees or structures. This realistic simulation ensures optimal panel placement and yield prediction.
Next, archelios PRO automates the module layout, inverter configuration, and cabling routes, significantly speeding up project timelines while minimizing design errors. It supports bifacial panels by factoring in albedo to accurately calculate energy yield. The SketchUp and Revit plugins further refine design and visualisation, integrating naturally into existing workflows and allowing project teams to gain approval-ready documentation.
From an energy perspective, archelios PRO performs a comprehensive yield analysis with self-consumption and feed-in simulation, while also modelling EV charging and battery storage scenarios. Outputs include detailed a Bill of Materials, economic analysis, installation schematics and full BIM exports, vital for planning applications and procurement.
Conclusion
A solar carport system is no longer a futuristic concept, it is a strategic asset for UK businesses, public bodies, and institutions.
It addresses rising energy costs and advancing sustainability mandates, while boosting operational resilience against energy network constraints. However, proper execution hinges on detailed design, regulatory compliance, and accurate performance forecasting. That is why sophisticated tools like archelios PRO are indispensable, they provide the engineering precision and project confidence necessary to deliver economically viable, structurally robust, and environmentally impactful solar carport systems.
→ Ready to explore your own solar carport project? Request a tailored demonstration or download your free trial of archelios PRO today.
Sources : https://www.renenergy.co.uk/stories/press-release-solar-carports
