HERE COMES THE SUN: OUR LITTLE DARLING?

Much of this heavy lifting to reach our solar power targets will be done by large-scale sites, alongside installations on public buildings, with the government last week setting up a taskforce to place solar panels in schools, warehouses and car parks. However, smaller installations from households, shops and local businesses will also be key to reaching this target – with the UK not even a quarter of the way there (current generation is 17GW across the country).

Frankly, with such particularly when it comes to policies within our reach like installation subsidies, enhanced planning and skills training. For example, industry body Solar Energy UK has encouraged the government to mandate solar panels on new builds, but also called for supply and expertise to stay level with rising demand. Chief executive Chris Hewett said: “There are three things that the government could do right now to build on the momentum of rooftop solar for households. First off, ensure that the future home standard effectively requires all new build homes to have a solar roof. Secondly, offer loans or grants to install solar and batteries in lowincome households. Finally, add support for national skills and training programmes, like the Solar Skills scheme run recently by the mayor of London.”