Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of making solar car parks mandatory for car parks on conservation areas.

DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the installation of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks, through a call for evidence which closes on June 18^th. This includes evidence about exemptions to the proposal. Thorough assessments on how to take the policy forward, including the impact on conservation areas, will be made once the call for evidence has closed, and suitable evidence has been gathered and analysed.