Solar Panels

I support the Government’s plans to make Britain a clean energy superpower to cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero. As part of this, I believe we need to more than triple our solar capacity to more than 50 gigawatts by the end of this decade.

Rooftop solar will play a crucial role in this mission and I agree that we must use the rooftops of our country for solar far better than we do at the moment.

I therefore welcome that the Government has pledged to deliver a “rooftop revolution” that will encourage builders and homeowners to deliver this technology to millions of buildings in the UK. This will enable people to provide their own electricity and cut their bills, all while helping tackle climate change. I am pleased at the Government’s recent announcement of the re-establishment of the Solar Taskforce to bring together experts from across Government and industry. I know that the taskforce will publish its ‘Solar Roadmap’ within the coming months. I look forward to the Government setting out its plans for rooftop solar in this document, as well as, where appropriate, as part of the future standards for homes and buildings.

At the same time, I do not believe we have the option to rule out large-scale ground-mounted solar wholesale. Solar energy is among the cheapest forms of power we have. In addition, I believe it is crucial to recognise that it is the climate crisis that poses the biggest threat to nature, our food security and our best farmland, not ground-mounted solar power, which by credible estimates used just 0.1% of our land in 2022.

So while it is crucial that communities continue to have a say on proposals in their area, and that local communities directly benefit when they host clean energy infrastructure, I do not believe the Government can afford to delay or avoid the difficult decisions needed to deliver the infrastructure we need for the sake of our energy security, cheaper bills and the climate.