Rooftop solar power generation consultation

Can rooftop solar panels meet our energy needs?

We have published research by the UCL Energy Institute into the true potential for meeting our energy needs if we made full use of the rooftop space available for solar panels across the country.

Is rooftop solar a good idea in the UK?

Taken together, all suitable roof space and car parks in the UK could generate a whopping 117 GW, substantially more than the government’s total solar target of 70 GW by of 2050. With enough roof space in England to meet more than half of our solar energy targets, rooftop solar is a common sense solution that continues to be overlooked.

How much power does rooftop solar generate a year?

Analysis of local authority data showed that rural constituencies have enough domestic solar panels to generate 12.5 megawatts (MW) energy every year – as opposed to 4.5 MW in urban areas. However, both figures are far too low, and it’s clear that the transformative power of rooftop solar continues to be overlooked.

Is rooftop solar a good investment?

Chris Hewett, chief executive of Solar Energy UK and co-chair of the Taskforce, said: Installing rooftop solar power, whether at residential or commercial scale, is one of the best investments available, offering dramatic savings on energy bills and the opportunity to be paid for sending excess power to the grid.

Can rooftop solar PV save the industry £3 billion a year?

In aggregate rooftop solar PV has the potential to save the industry £3 billon per year. Rooftop solar PV presents the sector with a unique opportunity to significantly reduce environmental impact, potentially reducing CO2 emissions by 2 million tonnes/year while also providing a good financial investment.

Are we doing more with solar panels on our roofs?

Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart said: 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.