The response earmarks a number of policy changes in 2020, including reopening Contracts for Difference to solar and onshore wind, [2] the addition of these technologies to the Capacity Market, and new funding schemes including the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, under which solar PV and battery storage are eligible. [3]
STA chief executive Chris Hewett said;
“The Government has taken constructive steps on what will undoubtedly be a long road and the announcement of a comprehensive Net Zero Strategy is welcome. What we need to see in that strategy is the same level of ambition for solar and battery storage as there has been for wind. Britain needs to triple its solar capacity in the next decade in order to get on track for net zero.”
Solar was this week dubbed the new “king of electricity” by the International Energy Association, [4] and by the Government’s own assessment is forecast to be the cheapest form of electricity generation in Britain over the coming years. [5]
It also remains the UK’s most popular energy technology, [6] providing affordable power and a wealth of jobs across the country. The CCC estimates that at least 54GW will be required by 2035 to be on track for a net zero economy. [7] This aligns with the STA’s target of 40GW by 2030. [8]
[1] Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy – Government response to the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) 2020 progress report to Parliament
[2] Solar Trade Association – Solar industry hails Government plans to run new clean power auctions
[3] Salix Finance – Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
[4] International Energy Association – World Energy Outlook 2020
[5] Solar Trade Association – Solar PV forecast as cheapest power generating technology in UK for years to come
[6] Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy – BEIS Public Attitudes Tracker: Wave 33
[7] Committee on Climate Change – Net Zero Technical Report
[8] Solar Trade Association – STA calls for Government to commit to 2030 solar target to drive green recovery