Your parking spaces are a potentially unused asset that can generate your business revenue from electricity generated, savings on energy bills and then charge points that can be monetised to use for charging. We take a look at how your parking spaces can be turned into an asset for your business.
Optimisation For Your Requirements & Location
Carports provide optimised generation, regardless of where the building or structure faces, which is a unique benefit. They can be angled specifically for maximum solar gain and efficiency, which can then achieve a south-facing orientation at a 30° to 40° tilt. This provides an additional enhancement alongside solar panel installation on the roof of structures around your premises.
You are also providing coverage for vehicles that generate electricity for sale, to power buildings, or to provide power directly for EV charge points. If you are currently not using your parking spaces for anything or have canopies installed, solar carports are an exceptional asset for your business.
Create a Direct Impact on Your Business
Converting your car park into an array has several benefits and changes to your balance sheet. Direct energy savings are achieved from paying peak rates for electricity throughout the day, normally. This is the prime time for carports and solar panels to reach their peak efficiency, where they are producing the most energy.
You are effectively bypassing these charges by generating your own electricity. You have the choice to sell back electricity to the grid, use the electricity generated and directly power EV charge points.
Generate Revenue from EV Charging
Demand and prices for EV charge points have surged in recent years, with demand for workplace charge points and destination charge points skyrocketing. You will reach a specific cost to generate your own electricity and then provide charge points as an additional point of revenue generation.
You also have the choice of allowing free use of the charge point or deciding on a rate at which you charge for the service. You can combine this with selling electricity back to the grid, and you have transformed a simple parking space into a space that is generating revenue each year.
Improving Property Value & Business Rates
You will also often see an increase in assets as the overall value of the premises will increase after your car park has been upgraded with solar carports. Solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage installed on business premises are exempt from business rates until 31 March 2035.
Carports are considered “on-premises” structures (similar to rooftop solar), and they generally qualify for this 100% relief. Unlike a standalone ground-mounted solar farm, which is valued differently, a carport is seen as an improvement to your existing property that does not increase your rateable value.
Key Considerations
For planning, Permitted Development (Class OA): Introduced in December 2023, allows solar canopies to be installed over existing commercial parking. This means that it will typically be unlikely that you will require planning permission for solar carport installation over an existing car park.
If you are looking to repurpose an existing area of land into parking, which will then have solar carports installed, this is more complicated and typically will require planning permission. Converting land into a car park involves several factors that the “Prior Approval” process of Class OA isn’t designed to handle.
Choosing to install solar carports within your new designated parking area may benefit you in the process, as you are combining the benefits and incentives of installing solar alongside your proposed area.
| Category | Key Consideration | Status / Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | Class OA (Permitted Development) | Allowed on existing parking; 4m max height; 10m from residential boundaries; 56-day Prior Approval. |
| New Land | Repurposing Land | Requires Full Planning Permission; must address Drainage (SuDS) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). |
| Business Rates | Tax Exemption | Solar & battery components are exempt until 2035; they won’t increase the property rateable value. |
| Financials | Payback & ROI | 6 – 10 year payback; 100% Annual Investment Allowance (Year 1 tax write-off, up to £1m; 50% FYA applies on expenditure above that). Projects creating 50+ bays typically exceed the AIA ceiling. |
| Revenue | EV Integration | Can generate £1k – £8k per charger/year; solar reduces the “cost per kWh” to charge. |
| Technical | Grid Connection | G99 Application required for systems >3.68 kW single-phase / 11.04 kW three-phase (approx. 45–65 day approval). |