Keir Starmer’s Labour government has announced a significant expansion of solar panel installations across UK homes. This “rooftop revolution” aims to address the climate crisis and reduce domestic energy bills.
Expanding Solar Energy Capacity
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband revealed plans to approve three major solar farms in eastern England. These projects, previously blocked by Conservative ministers, are set to substantially increase the UK’s solar capacity. The approved sites include Gate Burton in Lincolnshire, Sunnica’s energy farm on the Suffolk-Cambridgeshire border, and Mallard Pass on the Lincolnshire-Rutland border. Collectively, these farms will generate two-thirds of the solar energy installed across the UK last year.
Legislation and Industry Collaboration
In a forthcoming king’s speech, the government will introduce legislation to establish GB Energy, a new publicly-owned energy company. The focus will be on collaborating with the building industry to streamline solar panel installations on new and existing homes. Discussions are underway to set solar-related standards for new-build properties starting next year. Currently, installing solar panels does not require formal planning permission, but there are restrictions in conservation areas and on listed properties. The government is considering revising these regulations to facilitate broader adoption of solar technology.
Commitment to Green Energy
Miliband, committed to tripling the UK’s solar power capacity by 2030, as well as doubling onshore wind and quadrupling offshore wind, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “I want to unleash a UK solar rooftop revolution,” he said. “We will encourage builders and homeowners in whatever way we can to deliver this win-win technology to millions of addresses in the UK so people can provide their own electricity, cut their bills, and help fight climate change.”
Source：albawaba.com
