State Solar Power Project

What will the new UK Secretary of state's solar farms do?

They will be a major step forward for decarbonising the UK’s power supplies, strengthening energy security, pushing down bills and reaching net zero. “Solar Energy UK is delighted that the new Secretary of State has just approved three nationally significant solar farms, in his first week in office.

Which large-scale solar farms are being built?

Another large-scale solar farm, the 373MW Cleve Hill project in Kent, is currently being built, while the 420MW Longfield project in Hertfordshire received consent last year. Further such projects are in the planning pipeline. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Are solar projects considered 'nationally significant infrastructure projects' in the UK?

Under UK planning rules, solar developments larger than 50 MW are deemed to be "nationally significant infrastructure projects" and must be consented to at a national government level via DCOs, rather than applying for traditional permits from local authorities.

How will the UK's solar projects impact the future?

Together, the projects will help ramp up the UK's solar capacity as it targets 70 GW by 2035 — a fivefold increase from the approximately 14 GW installed today, requiring at least 4 GW of new capacity to be built each year. UK 'best market' for giant projects

Can solar power be used in space?

The winning projects include Cambridge University, who will develop ultra-lightweight solar panels for the satellites that can function in the high-radiation conditions of space, and Queen Mary University in London, who are working on a wireless system to enable the solar power collected in space to be transferred to earth.

Is there a shortage of solar power in the UK?

Solar Energy UK said there had been rapid growth in rooftop solar installations this year, with 57,125 below 50kW so far, only slightly less than the number installed in the whole of 2021. However, the biggest obstacle facing new solar projects was a lack of capacity in the electricity grid, Solar UK said.