Yes, yes, we know this is simplistic and yet

Covering car parks with solar panels. Well, OK. From direct observation it is possible to note this is much more common in Iberia than the UK. So:

It is understood that the consultation will seek to understand why such solar canopies are more common in Europe than in the UK and what can be done to encourage more to be built here.

We have a small suggestion. Introduce the concept of “weather” into the planning discussion. It is not trivial to suggest that places with more hours of bright sunlight - cloud free days etc - rather than fewer will do better at collecting solar power.

Of course, such consideration is only necessary at that government level as long as they don’t do this:

Ministers are thought to be considering whether measures used in Europe, which require outdoor car parks to have solar canopies, could be introduced.

If we leave each decision to each car park owner then we’ll gain the optimal number of such canopies. For those to whom it is a benefit the decision is obvious - build one. For those not don’t. There we are, optimal. Rather than forcing those for whom it isn’t to waste money on something of negative benefit.

But then having waited 14 years to get hands of the reins of power they’re not going to leave such decisions to other people to make, are they?

Tim Worstall