Solar Car Park Approved for Mildenhall Hub to Support Renewable Energy

West Suffolk Council has approved plans to install a solar car park canopy at Mildenhall Hub, aiming to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions at the site.

The proposed installation will place photovoltaic panels above parking spaces in the main car park, allowing the facility to generate clean electricity while also providing shade and weather protection for vehicles.

According to the council, the solar canopy is expected to generate electricity worth around £131,000 per year and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 124 tonnes annually. The additional solar generation will complement the existing rooftop solar panels and battery storage already installed at the hub.

Mildenhall Hub serves a range of community services including leisure, education and public facilities, which results in relatively high energy demand. The new solar installation will help reduce reliance on grid electricity and support the council’s wider sustainability goals.

The project may also serve as a pilot for similar solar car park installations at other sites across West Suffolk in the future.