The UK Solar Carport Buyer's Guide 2026

What to work out

The guide is written so finance teams can evaluate a solar carport without needing a sales call first. Each section below says what to work out and points to the detailed page on this site.

Section 1 — Cost & ROI economics

• Typical 2026 UK turnkey cost per kWp (£950-£1,300 band) and what drives it, on the cost page
• Worked budgets for 75/150/300/500/1,000/2,000 kWp
• Annual savings, simple payback, after-AIA payback and 25-year net benefit, using the ROI calculator
• Which assumptions move payback most: self-consumption, tariff, yield and capex

Section 2 — Grants & funding routes

• PSDS Phase 4: closed to new applications in November 2024, and what that means for public bodies
• Salix-administered public-sector programmes, which differ by nation
• OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme: £500 per socket, up to 40 sockets (£20,000 per applicant)
• AIA and the Salix public-sector loans in Wales and Scotland (terms change, so check the current position)
• How routes can be combined, on the grants and funding page

Section 3 — Finance products compared

• Direct capital (AIA tax benefit)
• Asset finance (typically 5-7 yr terms; rate from a written lender quote)
• PPA (typically 15-25 yr, 14-18p/kWh fixed)
• How year-one cashflow differs by route, on the finance page

Section 4 — Planning, DNO and delivery

• Class OA prior approval and NPPF policy W3 — the planning route for a car-park canopy, set out on the solar carports page
• Pre-application advice for sensitive sites, including conservation areas
• G99 grid connection process and typical timeline
• Construction sequence and phased delivery on live sites, after checking the car park suits solar and can take the weight

Section 5 — Questions to ask an installer

• Which registrations do you hold (NICEIC or NAPIT for the electrical work) and, if the array is under 50 kW, a current MCS certificate?
• Is the quotation itemised, with structure, PV, electrical, grid connection and planning costs shown separately?
• Does the price assume any DNO upstream reinforcement, or is that excluded?
• Which planning route applies (Class OA prior approval or a full application), and who handles it?
• What warranties apply to panels, inverters, structure and workmanship, and is an insurance-backed extension available?
• Are EV charge points included or priced separately, and is the design ready for more later?
• What is the phasing plan for building over a live car park?
• What does the O&M contract cover, and at what price per kWp per year?