Written question asked by Claire Young (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Michael Shanks (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Solar Power: Parking

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will publish the analysis of costs and benefits that informed her Department's conclusion that the solar canopies on car parks policy would not be taken forward at this point.

Answer: The government currently has no plans to publish this analysis. Given high upfront costs coupled with the uncertainty about future electricity prices and self-consumption of electricity generated, there is a significant risk that businesses would be unable to recover installation costs over the assumed 30-year lifetime of solar panels. Mandating on new car parks also overlaps with the Future Buildings Standard which includes generation within the curtilage of the building.

Secondary information