Sectors we serve
Solar Canopies Across Every UK Sector
Canopy projects are common at supermarkets, hospitals, schools, retail parks, hotels, business parks, and logistics sites. Each sector has different economics, planning dynamics, and funding routes — here is the sector-specific picture.
In short: the sector pages differ mainly in load profile, which drives self-consumption and therefore the saving. Funding no longer differs much: PSDS closed to new applications in November 2024, so most organisations are choosing between capital, a PPA and a lease.
What to verify before you appoint an installer
Supermarkets & Food Retail
Typical: 200–1,000 kWp · Payback: 5–6.5 years
Key driver: Net-zero commitments, EV charging customer pledges, refrigeration baseload
Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda and Morrisons all run active canopy programmes. Discount retailers are accelerating now.
See Supermarkets & Food Retail guide →
Retail Parks & Shopping Centres
Typical: 300–2,000 kWp · Payback: 5.5–7 years
Key driver: Multi-tenant private wire networks, EV charging revenue, BREEAM uplift
T-frame double-cantilever systems deliver best economics at this scale. Private wire PPAs for tenants increasingly common.
See Retail Parks & Shopping Centres guide →
NHS & Hospitals
Typical: 150–600 kWp · Payback: Depends on funding route
Key driver: Greener NHS targets and 24/7 baseload self-consumption — the strongest technical case of any sector
PSDS closed to new applications in November 2024, so an NHS Trust without an existing allocation funds a canopy from capital, a PPA or a lease — the 24/7 baseload still makes the energy case the best going.
See NHS & Hospitals guide →
Universities & Schools
Typical: 100–800 kWp · Payback: 6–8 years (own capital)
Key driver: Carbon neutrality targets, student and staff EV charging
MAT-wide rollout programmes for academy chains deliver significant economies of scale. Solar canopy doubles as a teaching resource.
See Universities & Schools guide →
Hotels & Hospitality
Typical: 50–300 kWp · Payback: 6–8 years
Key driver: Guest experience, corporate travel ESG scoring, aircon summer peak offset
Premium hotel groups cite canopy installations as a measurable differentiator in corporate contract renewals and OTA positioning.
See Hotels & Hospitality guide →
Business Parks & Offices
Typical: 80–500 kWp · Payback: 6–7 years
Key driver: Employee EV charging, green-lease compliance, SECR Scope 2 reduction
Landlord-funded canopies serve as green-lease anchors, reducing tenant churn and supporting premium rents.
See Business Parks & Offices guide →
Industrial & Logistics
Typical: 200–2,000 kWp · Payback: 5–6 years
Key driver: Fleet electrification, TNUoS exposure, customer Scope 3 mandates
EV fleet charging integration is the primary driver for logistics operators. Solar offsets charging cost directly.
See Industrial & Logistics guide →
Local Authorities & Councils
Typical: 100–1,000 kWp · Payback: 7–9 years
Key driver: Climate emergency declarations, EV charging revenue
Town centre car parks are underused solar assets. Income from EV charging can offset declining parking revenue.
See Local Authorities & Councils guide →
Your sector not listed? We cover every commercial property type.
If you have a car park, a paved yard, or open land adjacent to a building with electricity demand, the instant estimate covers it — no site visit required at this stage.
Instant canopy estimate
Size and price your car park canopy in 30 seconds
Enter the number of parking spaces and your postcode and the page works out an indicative system size, capital cost range, annual generation and payback from the figures published on this site. It is an estimate, not a quote. Add your email afterwards if you want us to look at it with you; we reply by email.