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.

Do you need planning permission to install solar panels?

Current rules that require businesses to apply for planning permission if solar panels will generate more than one megawatt of electricity will also be scrapped, meaning organisations will be able to install more solar panels on rooftops without the delay and cost of applying for planning permission.

Should solar generating stations limit export capacity?

Developers are consistently pushed to limit export capacity from solar generating stations, and the policy statement confirming this is inappropriate is welcomed and essential to support the delivery of net zero by allowing installations to maximise installed capacity and account for improving technology. 2.48.7.

Will new solar homes get a payment from suppliers?

New solar homes and businesses creating and exporting electricity to the grid will be guaranteed a payment from suppliers under new laws to be introduced by the government this week (Monday 10 June).

Should a target for solar generation be included in the NPS?

This equates to roughly 40GW of solar by 2030, and the solar industry body, Solar Energy UK, has demonstrated in its 2021 report “Lighting the Way” that this target is possible. We recommend that a target for solar generation should be included in the NPS.

Does government support solar?

It sets out that government is supportive of solar that is “co-located [footnote 80] with other functions (for example, agriculture, onshore wind generation, or storage) to maximise the efficiency of land use”.