Southampton Explores Solar Panels for High-Rise Car Parks

Southampton City Council is exploring the potential of installing solar panels on high-rise car parks as part of its ongoing push for renewable energy. The initiative, developed in partnership with Portsmouth City Council’s energy team, seeks to transform underutilized urban spaces into clean power sources.

Plans and Progress

The council is assessing the project’s feasibility, including financial costs, structural requirements, and potential benefits. Two high-rise car parks are currently under consideration. The project could include EV charging points alongside solar panel installations to support the city’s transition to green energy.

The idea follows a similar project in Portsmouth, where over 7,000 solar panels were approved for installation at Lakeside North Harbour. This includes rooftop panels and solar canopies over parking spaces. While Southampton lacks Portsmouth’s financial resources, the council is determined to pursue innovative renewable energy solutions.

Cllr Richard Blackman, Liberal Democrat group leader, described car parks as an “obvious” choice for solar installations and urged the council to act boldly. Labor cabinet member Cllr Eamonn Keogh acknowledged the challenges, emphasizing the need for structural assessments, governance frameworks, and vandalism prevention.

Supporting Solar Energy and EV Adoption

The council is already progressing with solar projects at several public sites, including the SeaCity Museum and three schools. Plans are also underway to install over 500 on-street EV charging points across the city. These efforts align with Southampton’s goal of increasing renewable energy use and reducing carbon emissions.

Cities like Utrecht in the Netherlands and Toulouse in France have successfully installed solar canopies in car parks, generating renewable energy while enhancing infrastructure. Portsmouth’s success demonstrates that these projects can provide clean energy while improving urban environments.

Southampton’s plan to install solar panels on high-rise car parks demonstrates its focus on practical solutions for sustainability. The city aims to reduce emissions by repurposing urban spaces, supporting EV adoption with integrated charging stations, and enhancing its renewable energy capacity.