Solar EV Charging
Solar Carports
Solar carports — a purpose-built canopy that shades your car while its panels generate clean electricity to charge it, perfect where roof pitch, shading or a listed building rules out rooftop solar.
Generation and shelter in one structure
A solar carport is a free-standing canopy whose roof is made of solar panels. It shades and shelters your car while generating the electricity to charge it — a purpose-built structure that does the job of a driveway, a roof and a charge point all at once.
Carports come into their own when the house roof cannot take panels: the wrong orientation, heavy shading from trees or chimneys, a fragile or flat roof, or a listed building and conservation-area restrictions. Rather than compromise on a poor roof, you put a south-facing solar array exactly where the car lives.
How a solar carport charges your car
- 1 We assess the parking space, ground conditions and the run back to your consumer unit, and agree a size — from a single bay to a double or run of bays.
- 2 The frame is engineered and installed with footings sized for UK wind and snow loading.
- 3 Solar panels form the canopy roof, angled and oriented for the best year-round generation on your plot.
- 4 An inverter and a smart charge point are integrated into the structure, so the car charges directly beneath its own generation.
- 5 Surplus electricity powers the house or is exported for a Smart Export Guarantee payment, and a battery can be added to store it.
When a carport beats rooftop panels
Because a carport is a new structure, its panels can be pitched and aimed for maximum output rather than being dictated by an existing roof — often producing more per panel than a compromised rooftop install. It also keeps frost and snow off the windscreen and the car cool in summer, which owners consistently rate as an everyday bonus.
Carports suit homes with generous driveways, rural properties, and anyone planning for two electric cars or future battery storage. We design each one to your plot and vehicle, and handle whether planning permission is needed — many domestic carports fall under permitted development, but we check for your specific site.
If your roof is not right for solar but your driveway is, a solar carport may be the answer — send us your details for a survey.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for a solar carport?
Many domestic carports fall within permitted development, but it depends on size, height, position and whether you are in a conservation area or have a listed building. We check the rules for your specific site before installation and handle an application if one is needed.
Is a solar carport better than panels on my house roof?
If your roof faces the wrong way, is shaded, is flat or fragile, or is restricted by listing, a carport lets you pitch and aim the panels for the best output instead of compromising. It also shelters the car. If your roof is already well suited to solar, rooftop panels are usually the simpler option — we will tell you honestly which fits your property.
Ready to talk about solar carports?
Tell us about your property and your car — we'll design it around them and send you a fixed quote. No phone calls, no pressure.