Opinion

Significant capacity increase needed for solar

The industry body will make the claim during the launch of its roadmap, titled Lighting the way, outlining the roll oit of solar projects over the next eight years. The report urges Westminster to set out policy and regulatory changes for the solar sector, which would allow the industry to deliver 40GW of operational capacity.

solar farm in field

The body is also calling for the UK Government to ‘show higher ambition’ for the industry, stating that under current progress around 11GW of solar power would still be needed to meet the climate change benchmark.

Renewable Energy Installer recently reported surprising solar stats, revealing that, of the 1,180 installations of green technology up to the end of March this year, only four of these were for solar PV.

Chris Hewitt, Solar Energy UK chief executive, said: “”Solar companies up and down the country are in a strong position to deliver the growth needed to meet the UK’s climate commitments.

“However, the Government must act now to accelerate deployment to ensure their net zero targets are met.

“Jobs, economic growth, and a massive reduction in carbon emissions are all up for grabs. 

“Solar is affordable, reliable, and immensely popular with the public. Every additional unit of solar energy generated in the UK cuts the amount of coal and gas we burn today.

“It can and must play a bigger role in the UK’s green economic recovery.

The report states that trebling the UK’s solar energy capacity by 2030 could cut total UK carbon emissions by 21.2 million tonnes per year as fossil fuels are replaced with cleaner power and “create 13,000 jobs worth £17bn to the UK economy”. 

Lighting the way will be launched at an online event featuring expert panellists from across the UK solar industry on 17th June 2021.