The UK government has today launched a pathway for Britain to rapidly accelerate the roll-out of solar, helping drive down bills, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and powering economic growth with clean energy.
The Solar Roadmap sets out the steps needed for the government and industry to deliver 45-47GW of solar by 2030 – which will support up to 35,000 jobs and use less than 0.5% of total UK land.
These steps include increasing engagement with industry and trade bodies to identify skills gaps in the solar sector to support more people into well-paid clean energy jobs.
Research suggests 88% of the British public are in favour of solar energy. Since July, the government has approved nearly 3GW of nationally significant solar – more than the last 14 years combined. This is the equivalent of powering more than 500,000 homes with clean, homegrown power.
The roadmap was developed over two years and two governments by the Solar Taskforce – led by Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband and Solar Energy UK Chief Executive Chris Hewett, with support from leading figures in the solar industry and related sectors. The taskforce will shortly transition into the Solar Council, set to drive future progress and guide the plan’s implementation.
Practical measures outlined in the roadmap include providing a new blueprint for industry to overcome barriers in planning, electricity networks, supply chain and innovation and workforce and skills challenges.
Solar Energy UK chief executive and co-chair of the Solar Taskforce Chris Hewett said: “Today marks the dawn of a transformative era for how the UK powers itself.
“The Solar Roadmap highlights dozens of practical measures needed to expand solar generation, boost the supply of cheaper and more secure power, foster new industries, create skilled jobs, boost biodiversity and slash our greenhouse gas emissions.”
Matthew Boulton, director of solar, storage and private wire at EDF Renewables UK, and a member of the Solar Taskforce, also welcomed the new Solar Roadmap.
He said: “We are at a pivotal moment for the solar sector, and we fully support the clear, coordinated action set out in the Roadmap that will help unlock the UK’s full solar potential.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with government and industry to turn this vision into reality.”
Fellow taskforce member Alexandra Desouza, EMEA general counsel for Lightsource bp, said: “The publication of the solar roadmap comes at a big moment for the UK energy sector – and especially for solar. Solar is key to the UK’s future energy mix and has a critical role to play in delivering secure, low-cost power.
“The deployment of more solar and battery storage helps keep energy costs competitive for UK businesses, boosting economic growth and making companies more resilient.
“As per the solar roadmap’s aims and ambitions, the focus is to shift to delivery for Clean Power 2030. This is a real opportunity for the UK to align behind a shared goal – bringing communities together, supporting farmers, and accelerating the transition to renewable and domestic generation.”