The first meeting of a new solar task force in the UK highlighted the “untapped potential” of commercial sites for solar power, a recently released UK government statement revealed.
Schools, warehouses and parking lots could be “at the forefront of a revolution in affordable solar energy” under plans discussed at the meeting, according to the statement, which highlighted several other discussions during the group’s first meeting .
The task force is also said to have discussed publishing a solar roadmap by 2024, improving qualifications and expanding the solar workforce, and identifying opportunities to secure supply chains resilient and innovation in the global market.
In the statement, the government highlighted that it was committed to setting up a task force to boost the growth of solar energy as part of the Powering Up Britain plan, which was published in March this year. The plan sets out how the government will improve the country’s energy security, seize the economic opportunities of the transition and meet net zero commitments, according to the policy paper Powering Up Britain.
The government noted in its latest statement that it has a clear target to increase solar capacity almost fivefold to 70 gigawatts by 2035. More than a million homes in the UK already have solar panels installed on their roofs , according to the government’s statement, which noted that more than 99 percent of UK solar capacity, both ground and rooftop, has been installed since May 2010. By 2020, the solar industry supported 11,500 jobs across the country, the government said in a statement.
“UK households are already doing their bit to provide cleaner, cheaper and safer sources of energy with solar panels on their roofs, but with acres of roof space in car parks and supermarkets everywhere communities, we can be doing even more,” Energy Security and Net Zero Minister Graham Stuart said in a government statement.
“This new dedicated solar task force will have a laser-like focus on lowering costs and breaking down barriers to harnessing the power of the sun in every way possible, all while using a small fraction of this country’s land,” he said. add.
“Doing so will make a significant contribution to improving our energy security, reducing people’s bills and providing long-term jobs,” he continued.
Chris Hewett, chief executive of Solar Energy UK and co-chair of the task force, said: “Installing rooftop solar, whether on a residential or commercial scale, is one of the best investments available, offering a dramatic savings on energy bills and the opportunity to pay to send excess energy to the grid”.
“Solar power is the most popular form of power generation among the British public and consumer demand has never been higher, although the rate of rooftop installation needs to double to help reach 70 GW by 2035,” he added.
“The number of solar farms will also have to increase significantly. I am delighted that we now have industry leaders working directly with government to resolve the barriers and maximize the benefits that solar energy brings to the nation,” Hewett said.
Ben Fawcett, Head of Solar at EDF Renewables UK and member of the Solar Working Group, said: “If we are to achieve our net zero ambitions, we need to drive the deployment of all types of solar, from rooftops to small and small, large utility scale solar farms”.
“By bringing government and industry together, the Solar Task Force is a big step in the right direction as we work hard to unlock the potential of solar energy in the UK,” he added.
Members of the solar working group include the heads or senior officers of renewable energy standards body MCS, commercial-scale developer Evo Energy, solar investor NextEnergy Capital, energy supplier and solar farm developer EDF, the international solar business Lightsource BP, the UK Infrastructure Bank and the Energy Networks Association.
According to a segment of the solar taskforce published on the UK government’s website, the group will run until February 2024. Its key aims include helping to develop a UK road map for solar energy, and ensure its intergovernmental and industrial adherence. and putting in place structures to facilitate continued progress in cost reduction, the site notes.
In a statement accompanying the Powering Up Britain plan released in March, the government highlighted that the plan increased the country’s energy security and independence, reduced household bills in the long term and maintained a “leading worldwide” to achieve net zero.
“We are … stepping up to drive the UK forward and ensure our long-term energy security with more affordable and cleaner UK energy, so we can lower energy prices and grow our economy.” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in the statement.
“That’s why we’re pushing ahead with plans to boost renewables, revive nuclear and build thriving new industries like carbon capture, which in turn will create good jobs across the country, provide new opportunities for British businesses at home and abroad and will sustain our world. -Leader action to reach net zero,” added Sunak.
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