The UK government has released a partial response to its solar carport consultation, addressing only the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure section and leaving the main solar mandate proposal unresolved.
Key points:
- The government responded to the EV charging section of the solar carport consultation but did not address the core solar mandate proposal.
- Of 125 consultation responses, most supported streamlining EV infrastructure deployment.
- UK service stations alone could generate 124GWh annually from solar installations.
The government’s response covers Section 2 of the consultation, which focused on EV charging infrastructure and planning policy. The consultation, launched by DESNZ in May, sought feedback on mandating solar canopies for new outdoor car parks and on reforms to EV charging planning processes.
During the consultation period from 7 May to 18 June 2025, the majority of the 125 respondents supported simplifying the process for installing EV charge points. Respondents also favored extending permitted development rights for EV charging and called for improved training and guidance for industry professionals and local authority officers.
The government confirmed plans to pursue further consultations and policy development based on these findings, though specific details remain limited. Several respondents highlighted the need to integrate solar and battery storage with EV infrastructure, suggesting incentives to encourage co-location and reduce grid demand.
Industry interest in smart charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies was a recurring theme, with stakeholders noting their potential to improve demand flexibility. The response also mentioned cross-pavement charging solutions, but the government has not yet clarified its stance on these technologies.
Notably, the response does not address Section 1, which concerns the proposal to mandate solar canopies on car parks. The government stated that a response to this section will be published soon, leaving the solar industry awaiting further clarity.
The consultation’s focus on car park solar installations reflects growing recognition of the sector’s potential. Previous analysis indicates that UK service stations could generate 124GWh annually from solar installations, while commercial carport opportunities remain largely untapped in retail and office developments.
The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan calls for rapid growth in solar deployment, aiming to increase capacity from around 18GW to at least 45-47GW by 2030. Solar carports offer significant potential within this expansion, providing renewable energy generation and EV charging infrastructure without additional land use.
This partial response suggests the government is prioritizing EV infrastructure policy while taking more time to consider the solar mandate proposal.
.svg)
