Research reveals vast potential of solar carport installations
Following the government’s announcement of £180 million in funding for energy improvements in public buildings, new research commissioned by renewable energy specialist RenEnergy has uncovered a staggering potential for power generation through car park installations at schools and hospitals.
According to the findings, over 151,000 parking spaces across educational and medical institutions in England and Scotland have already been identified as viable for solar carport development. This equates to over 350 GWh of clean energy per year – enough to power more than 97,000 homes annually.
With the UK having 32,149 schools and 1,148 hospitals, the research has only scratched the surface of the amount of green power that could be produced.
Government support and high energy costs driving demand
Damian Barker, Managing Director of RenEnergy, commented: “The rising costs for schools and hospitals has been of concern for many years now, with cutbacks and price increases impacting productivity. This is why the government has elected to make £180 million available to help future-proof these institutions with renewable energy solutions. Not only will this help reduce their bills, but also their carbon footprint.
“With the staggering amount schools and hospitals spend on energy alone, the money that they save can be reinvested in research, hiring, supplies and more so that they can provide a high-quality service. Carports can help make this a reality by using an existing asset which schools and hospitals have an abundance of.”
According to government and Carbon Trust data, UK schools spend £543 million on electricity every year, while the NHS is the single largest public energy user, with a spend nearing £1.5 billion. Solar carports offer a route to cut those costs while also contributing to net-zero goals and infrastructure resilience.
The solar carport model is especially attractive as it leverages existing infrastructure – car parks already in place – without the need for additional land or major structural changes.
Even better, those looking to install them won’t face the typical bureaucratic hurdles:
“To add this additional facility, hospitals and schools do not need to apply for planning permission due to the installation being covered by permitted development,” Barker explained. “Once built, management will have to contact the District Network Operator (DNO) to secure grid capacity.”
Wider benefits
For schools, the benefits stretch beyond energy savings. With the teaching profession under pressure, and leadership teams balancing recruitment and resources, solar power could create breathing room in the budget.
“Reducing energy bills could allow schools to attract new educational providers and vital equipment and resources,” the report notes. Solar carports also enable EV charging infrastructure, helping schools align with sustainability and transport targets.
Hospitals, meanwhile, stand to gain critical energy resilience. “If they were to install solar carports, trusts would be able to provide additional resilience, managing challenges and delays due to power cuts,” the report says. Carports can enhance energy resilience during grid challenges, supporting critical operations as well as enable EV charging for staff and patients travelling long distances.
A scalable opportunity
For the UK’s renewable energy professionals, this funding boost could see solar carports move rapidly from niche to mainstream.
As Damian concluded: “The government has made its plans clear to help reduce the carbon footprint of schools and hospitals by investing in green power solutions. Carports could have a significant role in the rollout of this £180 million funding, helping institutions regain control of their finances and invest in the future.”
With thousands of viable locations already identified, a strong government mandate, and a simplified path to deployment, solar carports represent an immediate and scalable opportunity.
Image provided by RenEnergy
