Is the sun shining on solar in the UK?

The UK government have set a challenging target to reach 70GW of operational solar capacity by 2035, over a fourfold increase compared to the circa 16GW of solar capacity installed currently, with a further target of 90GW of solar generating capacity by 2050.

 

New Energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) were designated in January 2024 and represent a significant change in the planning policy context for solar projects. It has taken thirteen years for that new policy to emerge and the earlier 2011 NPSs did not even include reference to solar as a technology, which shows how far the technology, and its deployment at large scales has advanced during that time.

 

The new NPSs make clear that the delivery of nationally significant scale solar is a ‘Critical National Priority’, confirming that solar is seen as a technology which will play a crucial role in the UK’s transition to net zero and to establishing a more resilient and secure electricity network across England. The planning system will have a crucial role to play in delivering those solar PV capacity targets.

 

In February 2024 DHA submitted the first application in England for a nationally significant scale solar scheme since the new NPSs were introduced.  The application, by Oaklands Farm Solar Ltd., seeks Development Consent for a 138MW solar farm and 38.5MW of battery storage on 191 hectares of land in Derbyshire. The application is about to start its 6 month examination, and will be assessed against the new NPSs, which will also be a material consideration for those solar NSIPs already submitted and being examined or awaiting determination, as well as other solar projects proceeding through conventional planning applications.

 

However, the approach to, and position on solar schemes, is still often far from clear cut. At the nationally significant level, the Government has now delayed its decision on the 500MW Sunnica Solar Farm four times and have recently confirmed that the 350MW Mallard Pass Solar Farm decision will also be delayed.

 

At the sub 50MW level each week seems to bring new decisions from Officers, Committees and Inspectors.   However, it is often difficult to draw consistent conclusions from those decisions in respect of some key planning issues faced by solar schemes, such as the use of agricultural land, Green Belt, landscape and visual impacts and the weight to be attached to the biodiversity net gain that solar farms can deliver. The solar sector will need confidence that solar schemes will see positive and consistent decision making if we are to get anywhere near the 2035 and 2050 targets.

 

The use of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land for large scale solar is a particularly emotive subject, unsurprising given the heightened focus on food security in recent years. The Government’s recent statement in May 2024 on the matter reiterates the importance of food security, and promotes the use of rooftops and brownfield land for new solar capacity, stating that solar schemes should avoid the use of Best and Most Versatile land ‘where possible’.

 

According to Solar Energy UK (of which DHA are a member, meeting the objective of 90GW of solar by 2050 would require some 0.6% of land in the UK, with solar schemes currently occupying around 0.1%. The 2035 and 2050 targets are therefore challenging but achievable. However, with the constraints, such as the proximity of grid connections being faced by solar schemes, realistically some continued use of Best and Most Versatile land will be needed to achieve those targets.  It is important in that respect to reiterate that the Government’s recent statement, and the NPSs, do not prohibit the use of BMV land. However it makes the issue of agricultural land more subjective, and it will be achieving a pragmatic and consistent approach to that issue within planning which will be crucial. The solar industry and decision makers need to ensure in the first instance that the quality of BMV land is being rigorously, consistently and transparently assessed. The impacts of the construction and decommissioning of solar farms on BMV land, and how those impacts can best be mitigated, also need to be fully understood to ensure that decision making is consistent.  

 

Ultimately solar PV schemes of all scales will help address climate change, which in itself is a threat to food security. Large scale solar schemes are then also capable of delivering significant wider benefits such as biodiversity gain. Hopefully, with a combination of the work of organisations like Solar Energy UK, supportive national policy in the new NPSs and a growing number of positive local and appeal decisions, we will see a real drive of solar deployment in coming years on appropriate sites throughout the country in order to meet the 70GW and 90GW targets.

 

To discuss this or any solar opportunities please contact David Harvey and Tim Spicer.