Purpose

In July 2025 Full Council resolved that the council should investigate the feasibility of installing photovoltaic (PV) panels on council-owned assets, including car parks, as part of its wider commitment to tackling climate change and supporting the ambitions of Lichfield District 2050.  

Following an initial market and policy review into the installation, it is likely that a number of buildings will be suitable for the installation of solar PV  arrays, and several car parks suitable for solar carports. Indicative costs for large solar PV arrays are £12,620 per building, generating 9,000 – 9,500 kWh per year. Solar carports cost in the range of £3,800 - £5,800 per space generating 1,000 – 1,500 kWh per year. Typical payback periods for both are 5-8 years.

Critically, capital funding does not need to fall entirely on the council. Options exist to fund delivery through Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) grant funding, Salix-style borrowing repaid from energy savings, or a third-party Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)/lease model under which a developer funds, owns and maintains the canopy in exchange for a ground rent and/or reduced energy costs to the council, at no capital cost to the authority.

Not every council owned asset will be suitable for installation of solar technologies. For roof-mounted solar-PV arrays, roof orientation, angle and tile-type will all play factors in suitability, as well as the level of shading and access to a loft space.

For solar carports the best-performing sites are typically large, flat, unshaded surface car parks with straightforward grid connection.  Smaller sites, heritage-sensitive locations and multi-storey decks are markedly less cost-effective and, in some cases, subject to additional planning constraints.

Officers recommend that the Cabinet Member approves a fully costed technical and commercial feasibility study of a shortlist of the council’s most suitable assets. Approval is sought solely for the commissioning of feasibility work. No commitment to capital expenditure, procurement or project delivery is proposed, and any future investment decision would be subject to a separate report and approval process.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Ecology & Climate Change approved a detailed technical and commercial feasibility study of solar installations (solar PV arrays and solar carports) on a shortlist of the council’s most suitable assets.