In short: A typical solar entrance canopies runs 10–60 kW (£9k–£84k), generates around 9,000–52,000 kWh a year, and pays back in about 4.8–7.4 years — faster once capital allowances are applied: the £1m Annual Investment Allowance usually means 100% relief in year one for spend under the limit, and companies can claim a 50% first-year allowance on special-rate spend above it. Get an instant estimate on this page; we reply by email.
Typical solar entrance canopies install
- System size
- 10–60 kW
- Panels
- 20–110
- Roof area
- sqm
- Project value
- £9k–£84k
- Payback
- 4.8–7.4 years
- Annual generation
- 9,000–52,000 kWh
- Annual CO2 saved
- 2–12 tonnes
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Common questions
What is a commercial solar canopy?
A commercial solar canopy is an engineered free-standing steel structure — typically over a car park, walkway, or open paved area — that carries solar PV modules as its roof. Unlike rooftop PV, a canopy doesn't depend on the host building's structure or roof condition. Canopies range from 30 kW single-bay carports through to multi-megawatt installations spanning hundreds of bays at supermarkets, retail parks, and hospitals.
How much does a commercial solar canopy cost?
Installed cost is typically £900–£1,400 per kWp depending on scale, ground conditions, and EV charging integration. A 100 kWp canopy (about 22 bays) is £100,000–£140,000; a 500 kWp canopy is £450,000–£650,000; a 2 MW double-cantilever array is £1.8m–£2.6m. Foundations, ground conditions, and architectural finishes are the main cost drivers.
Do I need planning permission for a solar canopy?
Often yes in England, but not automatically. A canopy over off-street non-domestic parking can use permitted development Class OA of Part 14 of the GPDO (in force since 21 December 2023), which always needs prior approval from the local planning authority and caps the height at 4 m above ground; taller structures, listed-building curtilage and some other sites need a full planning application. Scotland (Class 9M) and Wales (a 9 square metre limit for stand-alone non-domestic solar) differ.
Can I integrate EV charging into a solar canopy?
Yes — EV-integrated canopies are now a common configuration. Typical choices are 7 kW AC, 22 kW AC, or 50–150 kW DC chargers under the canopy, wired through the same private network, with OCPP back-office providers like Monta, Pod Point, Mer, or Allego run the chargepoint network. The OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme grant (£500 per socket since 1 April 2026, up to 40 sockets, scheme ends 31 March 2027) covers part of the EV cost.
How long does a solar canopy installation take?
Typical project timelines: 4–6 weeks for design and planning approval; 6–8 weeks for procurement and DNO consent; 4–14 weeks on site depending on size. For a 100 kWp canopy that's 4–5 months end-to-end; for a 1 MW double-cantilever array, 7–9 months. Work is usually phased in rows so the car park stays operational.
What is the payback on a commercial solar canopy?
Capital purchase paybacks are typically 7–9 years for canopies, versus 4–6 years for rooftop PV. The longer payback reflects the higher £/kWp from steel structure and foundations. EV-integrated canopies typically pay back faster due to chargepoint revenue. PPA structures deliver day-one positive cash with no capital outlay.