New analysis has revealed that UK businesses could benefit from savings totalling more than £1.4 billion over the next decade by harnessing the potential of solar energy in unused car park space.
Solspan analysed the car park space of 500 of the largest businesses across the UK to calculate the potential CO2 and energy costs savings.
The Solar Savings Index, analysis conducted by Solspan, showed that increased adoption of solar carports, a canopy structure fitted with solar panels, could generate enough clean energy to offset the emission of 578,933 tonnes of CO2.
When applied to the 8,000 large businesses in the UK, the savings could reach an astonishing 900,000 tonnes of CO2 and a potential £2.2 billion reduction in energy bills every year.
Solar carports are becoming increasingly popular across Europe as businesses and governments alike look to find new methods to reach ambitious net zero and ESG targets.
A new law was passed in France in 2023 which required all car parks with more than 80 spaces to install solar canopies over at least half the area they cover.
Car park owners have between three and five years to comply with the new regulations and the government has also passed laws making it easier to install solar panels on land next to roads and railways.
Explaining the findings, Clifford Huntley, research and development director at Solspan, said: “Energy costs have become a huge strain on all businesses over recent years, but particularly for those working in energy-intensive industries such as manufacturing. The car parks of many large businesses make up a significant footprint on sites and this space is often sat unused overnight and over weekends.
“Despite the UK weather’s reputation for cloud and rain, London, as an example, benefits from approximately 1,526 annual sunlight hours which could be harnessed to reduce expenditure and support sustainability targets.
“As well as saving on energy costs, solar carports can deliver renewable energy to charge electric vehicles (EVs). More businesses are also setting ambitious targets to decarbonise their estates, so it’s little surprise that a solar revolution is rising in popularity in the UK after becoming increasingly common elsewhere in Europe and the rest of the world.”
To assist businesses in realising the benefits of solar carports, Solspan has launched an innovative online calculator.
By simply inputting the number of car park spaces, businesses can instantly find out their potential annual financial and carbon savings.
This tool is designed to provide tailored insights, making it easier for companies to make informed decisions about adopting solar carport solutions.
To find out more about Solspan’s research visit: https://solspan.uk/solar-savings-index
