Mildenhall Hub solar canopy installation
West Suffolk Council has invested in the installation of solar canopies at the Mildenhall Hub car park.
The innovative scheme to harness solar power is expected to save over £130,000 and 124 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
The electricity produced can be used on-site to support Mildenhall Hub’s energy requirements, helping to reduce reliance on the grid.
This page provides information about the solar canopy installation, its benefits, and ongoing project updates.
What are solar canopies?
Solar canopies are covered structures that support solar photovoltaic (PV) panels above car parking spaces. They allow renewable energy to be generated while maintaining the practical use of the area beneath.
The installation at Mildenhall Hub is designed to maximise the use of available space while contributing to the site's sustainability objectives
Benefits of the solar canopy installation
- Reduced energy costs: generating electricity onsite can help low energy bills and provide greater protection against future energy price fluctuations.
- Renewable energy generation: the solar panels will generate clean electricity from sunlight, helping to reduce carbon emissions and support the transition to renewable energy.
- Efficient use of space: Solar canopies make effective use of the existing outdoor car park without requiring extra land.
- Future-proofing the Hub: Investment in renewable energy technology helps ensure that Mildenhall Hub remains a modern, efficient and sustainable community facility.
Project updates
This section will be updated regularly as the project progresses.
October 2026
Week starting: 4 October 2026
- Part of the central road will be closed on Tuesday due to temporary tarmac being laid. The direction of traffic will flow as usual, however drivers will not be able to cut through the central road.
- From Tuesday, the North East section of the car park will be disrupted, reducing the number of parking spaces, as shown in the map below.
- If the car park is busy, visitors are to make full use of the overflow car park, the allotment car park, and the school car park (which includes accessible parking).
September 2026
Week starting: 21 September 2026
- From Monday 21 September, the North West section of the car park will be disrupted, reducing the number of parking spaces, as shown below.
- To help ease congestion, visitors are to make full use of the overflow car park located near the main car park entrance. Alternatively, visitors can use the allotment car park.
- Temporary surfacing will be replaced with permanent tarmac once foundation works are complete.
Week starting: 7 September 2026
- The South West section of the car park will be disrupted, reducing the number of parking spaces, as shown below.
- To help ease congestion, visitors are to make full use of the overflow car park located near the main car park entrance. Alternatively, visitors can use the allotment car park.
- Where works have already been carried out in the car park, the current surfacing is only temporary and when the foundation works have been completed, a permanent tarmac surface will be laid.
Foundation works begin - Foundations laid for Mildenhall Hub's solar canopies
August 2026
Week starting: 31 August 2026
- East and West sides of the car park - trenching and ducting works will take place across the red central road to enable cables to be laid to eventually connect the two solar canopies.
- Part of the central red road will be closed. The direction of traffic will flow as usual, however drivers will not be able to cut through the central road. Drivers are advised to follow directional signage during this time.
- Current fenced off area - the base for the electrical cabinet will be installed. This will reduce the number of electric vehicle spaces available.
Week starting: 24 August 2026
- The contractor will finalise the cable works at the rear of the site.
July 2026
Week starting: Monday 27 July 2026
- Works are progressing round the side of the building to install the cable route, including connections to the electrical switch room.
- There will be no disruptions to the car park during this phase.
June 2026
Week starting: Monday 15 June 2026
- Visitors to Mildenhall Hub are advised that there will be disruption in the main car park until Friday 19 June 2026 as work begins on the new solar canopy installation.
- To help ease congestion, visitors are to make full use of the overflow car park located near the main car park entrance. Alternatively, visitors can use the allotment car park.
Week starting: Monday 8 June 2026
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) canopies will be installed in the main car park at Mildenhall Hub.
- The installation of the canopies will cause some temporary disruption to the car park and its users.
- Clear signage will be displayed onsite in the car park and inside the Hub, as well as updates on the website, noticeboards, social media, and Hub tenant email distribution groups.
March 2026
Planning permission for solar canopies is granted - Planning permission granted for Mildenhall Hub solar panel canopies
September 2024
Plans to discuss solar canopies installation approved - Green light for £1.3m solar investment in Mildenhall
