In a significant move towards achieving cleaner, cheaper, and more secure energy sources, the UK government's newly formed Solar Taskforce convened its first meeting to discuss plans that could revolutionize affordable solar power. With an ambitious target of increasing solar capacity by nearly five-fold to 70GW by 2035, the taskforce identified the untapped potential of commercial buildings, schools, warehouses, and car parks as key areas for solar panel installations.
London, in particular, is spearheading the initiative with a clear vision to power Britain using renewable energy sources. Even if the 70GW target is met, solar panels would occupy only a fraction of the country's land mass, indicating the vast potential for expansion. Currently, over a million homes in the UK have solar panels installed on their rooftops, providing reliable energy, reducing consumer bills, and generating numerous employment opportunities. However, the taskforce aims to leverage the vast rooftop space available on commercial buildings, schools, warehouses, and car parks to further bolster solar power generation.
Energy Minister Graham Stuart, leading the taskforce alongside Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett, emphasized the importance of tapping into these underutilized areas. Stuart remarked, “Households across the UK are already doing their bit to provide cleaner, cheaper, and more secure energy sources with the solar panels on their roofs – but with acres of rooftop space on car parks and supermarkets in every community, we can be doing even more.”
With a dedicated focus on reducing costs and dismantling barriers to solar power utilization, the taskforce aims to make a significant contribution to energy security, cost reduction for consumers, and the creation of long-term employment opportunities. Hewett highlighted the potential benefits of rooftop solar installations, stating that they offer substantial savings on energy bills and the opportunity to earn revenue by supplying excess power to the grid. The integration of battery storage systems further enhances these advantages.
Solar power has gained immense popularity among the British public, with consumer demand reaching unprecedented levels. However, in order to meet the 70GW target by 2035, the rate of rooftop installations must double, and the number of solar farms should also increase significantly. The collaboration between industry leaders and the government within the Solar Taskforce aims to address the challenges faced and maximize the benefits that solar energy can bring to the nation.
During the inaugural meeting, the taskforce discussed strategies to promote more rooftop installations by facilitating cost reductions for households and businesses interested in adopting solar panels. Additionally, they outlined plans to publish a solar roadmap in 2024, which will guide the actions required to meet the 2035 target. The taskforce also aims to enhance the skills and expand the solar workforce while identifying opportunities to establish resilient supply chains within the global market.
With the UK government's renewed commitment to solar power, driven by the collaborative efforts of the Solar Taskforce, the nation is poised to unlock the immense potential of solar energy, paving the way for a sustainable and greener future.
