Thank you to all those who took the time to contact me regarding solar energy. I share this enthusiasm and believe that solar energy, alongside other low-carbon sources, holds the key to a sustainable future.
I believe that solar energy, alongside other low-carbon energy sources, will play a critical role in our fight against climate change. The Government's commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 aligns with our responsibility to protect the environment and create a sustainable future. Undoubtedly, the benefits that solar energy can bring, particularly in a sun-rich county like East Sussex, cannot be underplayed. It could not only contribute to our efforts in combating climate change but also plays a vital role in reducing energy costs for consumers. The Government's commitment to Net Zero is a responsible and practical approach to addressing the urgent issue of climate change. Green energy promises a sustainable future for the country while supporting economic growth. The Conservative Government is committed to the dynamism of our free-market economy to harness the best of British innovation.
I am encouraged by the steps the Government has already taken to support the widespread adoption of solar panels. The new Energy Security Strategy includes plans to increase the UK's current solar capacity of 14GW, potentially growing it up to five times by 2035. This scaling up of cheap renewables is crucial for reducing our carbon emissions and achieving a sustainable energy transition.
More specifically, the Government supported over 830,000 small solar projects through the Feed-in Tariff between 2010 and 2019. This has helped cut the cost of household solar panels by more than half since 2011. Now, through the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, households that use solar water heating could get money towards renewable heating costs in their home. I am pleased that more than £1 billion of the green recovery fund has been set aside to upgrade the efficiency of our buildings’ energy and heat. Additionally, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) supports small-scale low-carbon electricity generation. The SEG gives small generators, including homes with solar panels, the right to be paid for the renewable electricity they export to the grid.
Rooftop Solar
The reduction of VAT on the installation of energy-saving products, including solar panels. This involves a reduction of VAT from 20% to zero for the next five years. This change translates to substantial savings for families, with a typical household installing rooftop solar panels expected to save over £1,000 on installation costs and an additional £300 annually on energy bills. These savings not only help reduce expenses but also contribute to a lower carbon footprint. The Government’s Feed-in Tariff supported over 830,000 small solar projects between 2010 and 2019, leading to a more than 50% reduction in the cost of household solar panels since 2011. Moreover, through the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, households utilising solar water heating can receive financial assistance toward renewable heating costs.
I am also similarly encouraged by the potential for solar energy on 'grey space'. The National Planning Policy Framework provides planning guidance for local authorities in England, and it emphasises the need for a positive strategy to promote energy from renewable and low-carbon sources. This strategy should identify opportunities for development to rely on renewable or low-carbon energy supply systems. The Government introduced a permitted development right in 2015 to encourage the take-up of solar panels on non-domestic buildings. Compared to previous rights, this provides for a 20-fold increase in the amount of solar technology that can go onto the roofs of commercial buildings without the need to submit a full planning application. Rightly, this is balanced by strict safeguards to protect local amenity.
Alongside this, you may be interested to know that the Future Homes Standard covers proposals to significantly reduce carbon emissions and energy use in new homes from 2025, including using solar panels, while improving energy efficiency. As a first step towards this standard, an interim uplift to energy efficiency requirements has come into force. This will see new homes produce around 30 per cent lower CO2 emissions. While the approach to achieving these higher standards remains technology-neutral, I understand that the Government anticipates that most developers will comply with these requirements by installing solar panels on new homes or using other low-carbon technology such as heat pumps.
Solar Farms
In the realm of solar farms, Government guidance urges local planning authorities to focus on using previously developed land and non-agricultural land for large-scale solar farm development, provided the land is not of high environmental value. This approach ensures that solar farms have minimal impact on the environment while contributing to clean energy production.
The National Planning Policy Framework advises that local planning authorities focus on using previously developed land and non-agricultural land for large scale solar farm development, so long as the land is not of high environmental value. Proposals for projects on Green Belt land can only proceed in very special circumstances, which may include the wider environmental benefits associated with increased production of energy from renewable sources.
These measures could certainly help contribute to the growth of solar energy and the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system. And the Government's comprehensive support for solar panels underscores our dedication to promoting renewable energy sources, reducing carbon emissions, and empowering households to lower their energy bills while making a positive impact on the environment.
Thank you once again for your email and for your commitment to promoting rooftop solar energy.