Foundations laid for Mildenhall Hub’s solar canopies

09 Sep 2026

The installation of new solar canopies at Mildenhall Hub has moved into the next stage, with foundation works underway in the car park to support the new structures.

The project will see the next stage of the solar canopies construction over parking bays, designed to generate energy while providing sheltered parking for Hub users.

The solar canopies are funded as part of the council’s strategic priority to improve environmental resilience and work towards net zero for its own buildings and vehicles by 2039, as set out in the council’s decarbonisation roadmap as shown here: Tackling climate change.

The work will be undertaken in quarters of the car park to reduce congestion as much as possible, starting with the South West section of the car park. Visitors to the Hub are asked to use the alternative parking facilities available, including the overflow car park and the allotment car park.

Cllr Gerald Kelly, Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulatory at West Suffolk Council, said: “We are committed to making our sites more resilient to changes in grid electricity prices while continuing to reduce our carbon emissions. The next stage of the installation will further progress the transformation of the existing car park into a renewable energy asset, without the need for additional land.

“The solar canopies will provide a range of benefits, from generating renewable electricity and lowering energy costs, to reducing emissions. Investing in renewable energy will help ensure Mildenhall Hub continues to operate as an efficient, forward-thinking and environmentally responsible community space. This is a lasting investment that will benefit the Hub, its users and the wider community for years to come.”

Once completed, the canopies are expected to generate over £130,000 of electricity and save over 124 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

The project not only will reduce energy bills but also provide protection against future grid price increases.

For more information, visit: Mildenhall Hub solar canopy installation

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