DESNZ has said it will not take forward plans to require car parks to install PV canopies.
A DESNZ spokesperson said: “After careful consideration and close engagement with industry, we have decided against mandating solar panels on new car parks. Solar remains central to our clean power mission, and we continue to support solar panels on new buildings – including in carparks – through the Future Buildings Standard.”
The proposal was the subject of a call for evidence from 7 May to 18 June last year, alongside planning for EV chargers. The consultation sought evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the introduction of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks, above a certain size. It included car parks in both public and private ownership.
However, responses suggested that there was a risk that the benefits of solar canopies in car parks would not outweigh the upfront costs.
However the option for new non-domestic buildings to install PV canopies remains open via the Future Buildings Standard. Under this standard new non-domestic buildings are expected to install solar equivalent to 40% of the building’s ground floor area, which could be met either through rooftop solar or car park canopies.