Plan to deliver 45GW of solar power by 2030

The UK has announced a roadmap to accelerate the rollout of solar panels on houses across the country, which could save families around £500 each year on their energy bills.

The Solar Roadmap sets out the steps needed for the government and industry to deliver 45-47 GW of solar by 2030, which will support up to 35,000 jobs and use less than half a percent of total UK land.

Rooftop solar panels adds value through lowering bills, but also through increasing the financial value of a property, as well as a sustainable form of generating electricity, a key step towards net zero.

The plan includes increasing solar deployment on new build homes through the Future Homes Standard, launching a call for evidence about the untapped potential of solar in car parks across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, launching a safety review to distribute portable plug-in solar panels to increase access for those in rented accommodation or apartments, and stronger engagement with industry and trade bodies to identify skills gaps in the solar sector to support more people into well-paid clean energy jobs.

88 per cent of the British public support solar energy, according to research, and development within the last year has seen more than 3 GW of nationally significant solar power approved, which is more than the last 14 years combined.

There are already over 1.5 million homes in the UK with rooftop solar panels installed, and the road map incudes a new blueprint to boost this uptake by overcoming barriers in planning, electricity networks, supply chain and innovation and workforce and skills challenges.

The government is additionally working with the Green Finance institute, the finance sector, consumer bodies and the solar panels itself to provide financial solutions for households and businesses.

Energy minister Michael Shanks said: “Families have been paying the price of the fossil fuel rollercoaster for years.

“Our Plan for Change means delivering more homegrown energy that we control to boost the uK’s energy security and save money on your bills.

“Through solar, we are rolling out the quickest to build and one of the cheapest forms of energy for families to start saving hundreds on their energy bills, all whilst helping tackle the climate crisis.”

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.

“The sector is growing fast, with around 700 small-scale rooftop installations being completed each day, but needs to grow faster.”