What is the new policy on single-family solar photovoltaics

Should guidance on solar PV be included in the National Policy Statement?

The solar industry very much welcomes the addition of guidance on solar PV to the National Policy Statement for renewable energy infrastructure. However, there are several provisions which could be strengthened, which we have outlined below.

Are solar photovoltaic panels part of a default package?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are expected to be part of a default package to meet forthcoming rules on the energy efficiency of homes and buildings in England, according to Government plans.

Do solar farms need planning permission?

Solar farms with a generating capacity below 50 megawatts (MW) need planning permission from the local planning authority (LPA). Solar farms with a generating capacity above 50 MW need development consent from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, because they are nationally significant infrastructure projects’ (NSIPs).

Are solar power and farming mutually exclusive?

They also point to the multi-functional use of land, for example, grazing sheep on solar farms, to highlight that solar power and farming are not always mutually exclusive. As of March 2024, the cumulative installed capacity of solar power in the UK was 15.8 GW. The government aims to achieve 70 GW of solar power by 2035.

Will the UK treble solar PV capacity over the next 8 years?

Solar Energy UK has published new analysis setting out a roadmap to treble solar PV capacity over the next eight years. The new report titled Lighting the way reveals the policy and regulatory changes required to unleash the potential of solar energy in the UK.

What policies will boost solar PV deployment?

The report outlines several policies that would boost PV deployment, including business rates reform, an end to VAT for solar energy systems, and solar PV’s continued eligibility for Government-led clean power auctions.