Solar carports and EV charging
How solar carports are shaping UK commercial EV charging projects
Solar carports are emerging as a strategic solution in UK commercial EV infrastructure, combining renewable energy generation with EV charging to address growing demand and operational challenges.
Why this topic matters now
The UK’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, driven by government targets and increasing consumer and commercial adoption. This rapid growth places significant pressure on the existing electricity grid and charging infrastructure. Solar carports—structures that integrate photovoltaic (PV) panels with covered parking and EV charging facilities—are gaining attention as a multifaceted solution. They offer the potential to generate renewable energy on-site, reduce grid demand peaks, and provide sheltered charging points, which can enhance user experience and asset longevity.
Recent data highlights the uneven distribution of rapid EV charge points across the UK, with 90% installed outside London, notably in regions like the East of England and the North West. This regional expansion underscores the need for scalable, efficient, and sustainable charging solutions that can be deployed in diverse commercial settings. Solar carports fit this need by enabling businesses, councils, and commercial landlords to leverage their parking assets for energy generation and EV charging simultaneously.
What UK EV infrastructure teams should understand
Solar carports represent a convergence of renewable energy and EV charging infrastructure, requiring multidisciplinary planning and coordination. For infrastructure teams, several factors are critical:
- **Site suitability and planning:** Solar carports require sufficient space and orientation for effective solar generation. Planning permissions must consider local regulations and integration with existing infrastructure.
- **Grid interaction and energy management:** On-site solar generation can reduce reliance on grid electricity, but effective energy management systems are essential to balance generation, storage (if included), and charging demand. This is particularly relevant given the increasing deployment of rapid and ultra-rapid chargers outside London, which can impose significant loads on local grids.
- **Commercial viability:** Combining solar generation with EV charging can improve the business case by reducing operational costs and potentially generating revenue through energy sales or grid services.
- **User experience and operational resilience:** Covered charging bays protect vehicles and equipment from weather, potentially reducing maintenance costs and improving customer satisfaction. This is a notable consideration for retail sites and fleet depots where uptime is critical.
- **Integration with broader energy strategies:** Solar carports can be part of wider sustainability and energy resilience plans, including battery energy storage systems (BESS) and smart charging solutions.
Commercial signals behind the trend
Several market signals indicate growing commercial interest in solar carports within the UK EV infrastructure landscape:
- **Private investment in retail charging hubs:** For example, a £24.5 million investment by RAW Charging and Landsec to install 1,000 new EV charging bays across 28 retail sites, including the UK’s largest retail EV charging hub at Bluewater, Kent, demonstrates strong commercial momentum. Solar carports can enhance such retail projects by providing renewable energy and improving site appeal.
- **Regional infrastructure expansion:** The rapid rollout of rapid and ultra-rapid charge points outside London suggests that commercial operators in these regions are seeking innovative solutions to meet demand sustainably. Solar carports can reduce grid upgrade costs and provide a visible sustainability credential.
- **Operational challenges in fleet and ride-hailing sectors:** Surveys reveal that charging access difficulties are a significant barrier to EV adoption among UK Uber drivers, surpassing vehicle costs. Solar carports at fleet depots or ride-hailing hubs can offer dedicated, reliable, and potentially lower-cost charging options.
- **Emerging technologies and partnerships:** While battery swapping for electric trucks is gaining traction, as seen in Octopus Energy and CATL’s European initiative, solar carports remain relevant for light commercial vehicles and passenger EVs, complementing other infrastructure models.
What to watch next
Key developments to monitor in the solar carport and commercial EV charging space include:
- **Policy and funding support:** Government incentives or mandates encouraging renewable integration with EV infrastructure could accelerate solar carport adoption.
- **Technological advancements:** Improvements in PV efficiency, energy storage, and smart charging controls will enhance the viability and attractiveness of solar carports.
- **Grid capacity and regulation:** Changes in grid connection standards, tariffs, and flexibility markets will influence the economics of solar carports.
- **Commercial partnerships:** Collaborations between solar developers, charge point operators, and commercial landlords will shape project pipelines and delivery models.
- **User behaviour and demand patterns:** Understanding how EV drivers and fleet operators interact with solar-powered charging can inform design and operational strategies.
EV Signals perspective
For UK commercial stakeholders, solar carports represent a strategic opportunity to integrate renewable energy generation with EV charging infrastructure, addressing both sustainability goals and operational challenges. EV Signals’ intelligence platform highlights the importance of early engagement with planning and procurement signals to identify suitable sites and partners for solar carport projects.
Given the regional expansion of rapid charging infrastructure and the growing complexity of commercial EV charging demands, solar carports can offer a differentiated value proposition. They support grid resilience, reduce operational costs, and enhance user experience—key factors for successful commercial deployment.
EV Signals encourages infrastructure teams to monitor planning applications and market signals closely, leveraging data-driven insights to anticipate opportunities in solar carport development. This approach aligns with broader trends in commercial EV charging, where integrated energy solutions are becoming increasingly important.
Sources
- [Nine in 10 rapid EV charge points built outside London - Transport + Energy](https://transportandenergy.com/2026/06/30/nine-in-10-rapid-ev-charge-points-built-outside-london/)
- [UK gets 1,000 new electric car chargers with multi-million pound investment - Auto Express](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/369176/uk-gets-1000-new-electric-car-chargers-multi-million-pound-investment)
Sources