Commercial Solar Carports UK
Solar Carports for UK Businesses
Turnkey supply and installation of commercial solar carport structures across the UK. Generate clean electricity from your car park — from 50 kWp to 5 MWp. MCS-certified. Free structural design and costings within 5 working days.
What is a commercial solar carport?
A commercial solar carport is a free-standing steel structure installed over a car park or hardstanding area, with solar panels mounted on the roof. Unlike rooftop solar, a carport creates its own structure — no existing building required. The result is covered parking that generates clean electricity simultaneously.
Solar carports are used interchangeably with "solar canopies" — both terms describe the same type of structure. The word "carport" tends to be used for structures primarily serving car parking; "canopy" is sometimes used for broader covered structures including walkways, entrances, and pergolas.
For commercial purposes — retail parks, industrial estates, business parks, hospitals, schools — the two terms mean the same thing: a solar-generating covered car park structure.
Why solar carports instead of rooftop solar?
Three situations make solar carports the better choice over rooftop installations:
- Roof unsuitable: Asbestos cement, poor structural condition, multi-tenanted building with no usable roof access
- Larger system wanted: The car park often has more viable surface area than the roof, enabling larger systems
- EV charging needed: Solar carports integrate EV chargers far more cost-effectively than rooftop arrays — same cable run, same structure, no extra groundwork
Solar carport vs rooftop solar
Three solar carport structure types
We design all three types in-house. The right choice depends on your car park orientation, access requirements, and budget.
Mono-Pitch Carport
Single south-facing slope. Best yield, lowest cost per kWp. Ideal for car parks with clear south orientation.
Full spec guide →T-Frame Carport
Central column, dual-pitch structure covers two rows of vehicles. Ideal for east-west car parks.
Full spec guide →Cantilever Carport
Single-post design gives unobstructed vehicle access. Best for hospitals, disabled parking, HGV zones.
Full spec guide →Solar carport cost guide 2026
All figures are indicative market rates. Your actual cost depends on site conditions, ground type, and grid connection. Get a site-specific quote.
| System size | Spaces covered | Installed cost | Annual saving | Payback* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 kWp | 16-18 | £42,000-£55,000 | £9,500-£13,000/yr | 3.5-4.5 yrs |
| 100 kWp | 32-36 | £82,000-£105,000 | £19,000-£25,000/yr | 3.5-4.5 yrs |
| 250 kWp | 80-90 | £195,000-£245,000 | £47,000-£60,000/yr | 3.5-4.5 yrs |
| 500 kWp | 160-180 | £370,000-£455,000 | £94,000-£120,000/yr | 3.3-4.0 yrs |
| 1 MWp | 320-360 | £710,000-£870,000 | £188,000-£240,000/yr | 3.0-3.8 yrs |
*Payback after 25% AIA corporation tax relief. Midlands irradiance, 22p/kWh blended rate, 85% self-consumption. Does not include EV charging equipment.
How we deliver your solar carport
Free feasibility
Desk study from your meter data and aerial imagery. PVSyst yield model. ROI spreadsheet. Back within 5 working days.
Structural design
Certified structural engineer produces foundation and steelwork design for your specific site. Geotechnical investigation where required.
Install
Typical on-site programme 2-4 weeks. We phase the works to keep 80%+ of car park spaces open throughout.
Commission
MCS commissioning certificate. G98/G99 DNO notification. SEG registration. Monitoring platform handover.
Who installs solar carports
Solar carports work for any organisation with a car park of 20+ spaces. The economics improve significantly above 80 spaces where EV charging and self-consumption combine well.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to get solar carport costings?
Free desk feasibility study within 5 working days. Includes structural scheme, PVSyst yield model, 25-year DCF, and planning assessment. No commitment required.