Car parks fitted with solar panels to reopen

The first car parks in the UK to be fitted with solar car port frames are set to re-open to the public.

Both car parks are in Exeter.

Mary Arches will re-open on Saturday (24 October) and John Lewis the week after (31 October). The installation of solar panels on the car parks is a UK first.

The pioneering initiative at John Lewis and Mary Arches Street Car Parks has been delivered by Devon firm Sungift Energy on behalf of Exeter City Council.

Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for City Development, said: “It’s great that Exeter is leading the way in green technology. The solar panels will provide a gross income of over £50,000 per annum, generating 285,227 kwh per year of electricity and saving more than 150 tonnes of carbon.”

Extensive structural engineering and canopy design work allowed the City Council to build Solar PV Car Port frames to the roof of both car parks. This is the first carport system of its type in the UK.

The two car parks comprise of 150kW systems each, which includes over 500 solar panels and will provide for zero carbon car parks during the summer months.

“This demonstrates the value of renewable technology, providing much needed income and environmental benefit,” added Cllr Sutton.

The covered top decks, previously open, will also provide an improved and more attractive parking option, generating increased use and revenue for parking services.