Solar Carports for Business in 2026: Generate Power, Shade Cars, Charge EVs

A solar carport does three jobs at once: it shelters your car park, generates clean power, and hosts EV charging. For businesses with a lot of parking, it's one of the best-value uses of otherwise dead space.

What a solar carport actually is

A solar carport is a raised canopy over a car park with solar PV panels built into the roof. Unlike rooftop solar, it doesn't need a suitable building roof — it turns your parking area into a power station, while sheltering vehicles from sun, rain and frost underneath.

The triple benefit

1. Generate power — the canopy produces clean electricity you use on site, cutting your grid bill.
2. Shelter vehicles — covered parking is a genuine perk for staff, customers and tenants.
3. Charge EVs — carports are the natural home for EV charging, powered partly by the panels above.

How it's funded

Like rooftop solar, there's no single carport grant — but the funding stacks:

• Tax relief: the Annual Investment Allowance lets most businesses deduct 100% of qualifying spend (up to £1m) in year one. (Confirm with your accountant.)
• Export income: sell surplus generation back via the Smart Export Guarantee.
• EV-charging grant: the charging element can use the Workplace Charging Scheme — 75% of cost, up to £500 per socket.
• £0 upfront: funded models let you install without capital outlay.

Best-fit sites

Anywhere with a large, underused car park: retail parks, offices, leisure venues, hotels and public-sector estates. The more parking you have, the stronger the case.

→ Book a free solar carport site survey

Frequently asked questions

What is a solar carport? A canopy over a car park with solar panels on the roof — it generates electricity, shelters vehicles, and provides a structure for EV charging.

Is there a grant for solar carports? Not a single capital grant, but the EV-charging element qualifies for the Workplace Charging Scheme (75%, up to £500/socket), and the solar attracts tax relief and export income.

How is a carport different from rooftop solar? It doesn't need a building roof — it uses your car park, and adds covered parking and EV charging in one structure.

The bottom line

For car-park-rich businesses, a solar carport turns dead tarmac into generation, shelter and charging — funded by tax relief, export income and the EV grant. A survey shows what your site could produce.

General information only, not tax or financial advice — confirm your position with a qualified accountant. Grant figures verified against GOV.UK as of June 2026.