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For solar to go big in the UK we first need to bust some myths This post is by Gareth Simkins, senior communications adviser at Solar Energy UK. Solar panels shut down in the heat. Birds and bats think they are water and fly into them. The industry needs new subsidies. People hate solar farms and they destroy habitats. As senior communications adviser for the trade association Solar Energy UK, those are just a few of the well-worn myths that I have heard in the press, on social media and even in parliament lately. Last month, the Telegraph blamed solar panels wilting in a heatwave for a coal-fired power station being reactivated. The story was published even after I provided them with technical data sheets showing that while photovoltaic performance does dip marginally in the heat, the long sunny days of summer compensates for this. Such myths were later spread on social media by the likes of Toby Young, Andrew Neil and DUP MP Sammy Wilson. Fortunately, the BBC published a far more accurate story in response, confirming that the real reason was a grid connection to Norway failing, a nuclear power station being down for maintenance and increased demand for air conditioning. Solar is the most popular source of energy among the public Solar remains the most popular form of energy generation, according to the Government’s own Public Attitudes Tracker. A recent survey commissioned by our friends at RenewableUK found that investing in renewables was backed by 77 percent of respondents, even rising to 84 percent among Conservative voters in particular. This is more support than for any of Rishi Sunak’s ‘five pledges’ and clearly should make for sober reading for those who pressing to ‘ditch the green stuff’. People living near solar farms back them to a far greater degree than most would think, according to new research published today. A survey of attitudes to solar power, produced by Copper Consultancy, found that 94 percent of people in the vicinity of an existing, proposed or under construction solar farm had either supportive or, at the very least, neutral attitudes to the sector. In fact, two fifths strongly supported the development of the sector, with only one percent strongly opposed, according to their findings. But the survey found that people mistakenly think that there is limited local support for solar farms. Local residents tend to become more supportive over time. The fear of the new ultimately fades. As Chris Hewett, Solar Energy UK’s chief executive, said: “It is clear that attacking solar farms is far from the vote winner some politicians might think it is, so Rishi Sunak’s administration is wise to be far more positive about solar farms than his predecessors. It is only a tiny, if vocal, minority that have given some politicians the impression that solar farms are unpopular”. But myths are being perpetuated in parliament Further myths were exercised during a recent parliamentary debate on planning and solar policy, in which Conservative MP Dr Caroline Johnson said, “Birds and bats that mistake glass for water can be killed when they land on the hot panels.” The only shred of evidence for this that I could find related to concentrated solar power, an entirely different technology that uses reflected heat to drive a steam turbine, quite unlike photovoltaic technology. “Worst of all, the presence of solar panels limits the potential for biodiversity due to the persistent shadow cast and the set channels created by rainwater run-off without proper dispersal,” she added. A report that we published recently proves that concerns about perceived biodiversity loss are also unfounded. In conjunction with Lancaster University and consultancies Clarkson & Woods and Wychwood Biodiversity, we’ve shown that well designed and well maintained solar farms, for example using wildflower seed mixes, can make significant contributions to addressing the UK’s chronic loss of natural habitat. An average of 25 species of bird were found across the 37 sites surveyed, including some red-listed ones such as linnets, yellowhammers and spotted flycatchers. Insects benefited from what can be a “significant resource” of nectar, says the report, with 32 species of butterflies and moth, 11 species of bee and various dragonflies, grasshoppers, wasps and beetles found among the sites. Solar will play an important role in helping farmers to diversify from monoculture so that we can rewild vast swathes of the UK countryside. The grid is the biggest issue Copper Consultancy’s report reveals a further misconception: only seven percent of respondents understood that solar farms are located to ensure access to the electricity grid. The UK’s electricity networks are often unable to accept large-scale connections without upgrades, Waiting times can extend for many years, even into the 2040s. Fortunately, the Government, Ofgem and the Energy Networks Association have acknowledged how much of a drag this is on the economy, lowering the cost of living and net zero. But comments made by Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh during the recent parliamentary debate illustrate the cavernous knowledge gap that exists about grid issues and the competitiveness of solar technology, even among policymakers. He called for, “a new subsidy regime whereby if someone builds a massive warehouse, it is in their benefit to put a solar panel on top of it.” The solar industry has neither the need nor desire for subsidies, which ended in 2019. In fact, more small-scale rooftop installations are expected this year than ever before, driven by the energy price crisis. It is solely the lack of grid connectivity that is holding back the commercial scale sector, as a UK Warehousing Association report underlined last year. The association concluded that the potential for warehouse roofs alone amounts to 15 gigawatts, which is double the UK’s current overall solar capacity. So, if you hear someone repeating these misconceptions about solar power, even if it’s your local MP, we’re here to help with the facts. This blog was originally published by the Green Alliance.

UK welcomes record rooftop PV deployment Solar Energy UK 10 January 2024 Renewable energy standards body MCS revealed today that a new post-subsidy annual record of almost 190,000 smaller-scale (50 kilowatts or less) solar photovoltaic installations was set in 2023.[1] The figure comes close to the all-time MCS record of 203,129 registered installations in 2011, at the height of the Feed-in Tariff era. The regime closed to new applicants in April 2019. “Setting a post-subsidy record of almost 190,000 smaller-scale solar PV installations, and approaching the all-time record of 203,000, is truly a moment to celebrate. The solar industry is on a roll, particularly as we start to conclude work on the government-industry Solar Taskforce, whose roadmap for delivering 70GW of capacity is due to be published in a couple of months,” said Solar Energy UK Chief Executive Chris Hewett. “It is also very gratifying to see such growth in the deployment of heat pumps and battery energy storage systems, which partner so well with rooftop solar energy systems by maximising the savings and decarbonisation that they offer,” he added. [1] 2023: A record-breaking year for MCS and small-scale renewables

Solar panels set to be standard on new homes and buildings- Solar Energy UK Solar Energy UK 14 December 2023 Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are expected to be part of a default package to meet forthcoming rules on the energy efficiency of homes and buildings in England, according to Government plans. Published yesterday, the consultation on the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard says that the revised specifications will have to deliver significant carbon savings, affordable running costs over the long term and prevent the use gas or other fossils for heating and hot water – thus avoiding costly retrofits in the future. The standards must also be affordable, practical and safe.[1] Solar energy meets all these requirements. However, the possibility of solar energy not becoming all but mandatory, when it is already a common feature of newbuild housing, has been condemned by the industry – especially after such a long wait for the consultation to emerge. The measures outlined in the consultation are effectively a replacement for Zero Carbon Homes, a policy announced by then-chancellor Gordon Brown in 2006. It would have required new homes to generate at least as much energy as they consumed for heating, hot water, ventilation and lighting from 2016 but was scrapped by David Cameron in 2015, following lobbying by the building sector. The consultation discusses two possible options for homes, which would both result in lower bills as they feature, “a high-efficiency air source heat pump and good fabric standards to minimise heat loss from windows, walls, floors and roofs.” It does not state explicitly which would be preferred, although it does betray a lack of enthusiasm for not adopting solar energy, describing it as the “minimal option”. Option 1 includes “high-efficiency solar PV panels covering the equivalent of 40% of the home’s ground floor area”. The proposal “balances higher additional build costs against even lower consumer bills – by including solar PV panels, a wastewater heat recovery system, increased airtightness and a decentralised mechanical ventilation (dMEV) system. Option 2, which does not include those elements, would have lower additional build costs but be less beneficial in terms of consumer bills,” says the paper. Option 1 would increase costs for homebuilders by an estimated £6,200 on average. But this would be offset greatly by cutting annual heating and hot water bills by an estimated £910-£2,120 per year. A lower electricity bill would come on top, though it is not described in the consultation. “A heat pump and a solar installation make a great pairing, as the one helps to power the other, while relieving strain on the power grid. Our Value of New Build Solar report illustrates just how much the savings can be – up to £40,000 over their lifetime for a mid-terrace home, or upwards of £200,000 for a detached house,” said Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of trade association Solar Energy UK.[2] In contrast, option 2 would be about £1,000 more expensive to build than the current baseline, while saving only £210-£1,420 per year on running costs. For context, the cost to retrofit a typical existing home to net zero standards (before subsidies are considered) would be about £12,000, according to the paper, or even more if fabric upgrades are needed. The performance standards set out in the consultation are based on ‘notional buildings’ – essentially a model of energy performance – using air-source heat pumps or high-efficiency fourth-generation heat networks – amendments to which are being consulted on separately. [3,4] “We found no practical way to allow the installation of fossil fuel boilers while also delivering significant carbon savings and ‘zero-carbon ready’ homes. As such, we do not expect fossil fuel heating, such as gas, hybrid heat pumps and hydrogen-ready boilers, will meet these standards. The standards proposed are also unlikely to allow the installation of biofuel systems, including wood and manufactured solid fuels,” the paper adds. Implementing regulations are expected to be published next year, to enter into force in 2025. The department’s intentions for non-domestic buildings are clearer, unambiguously recommending the adoption of solar PV spanning 40% of the building’s foundation area and heat pump heating for buildings lit from the side (such as offices, hotels and schools), or 75% for top-lit spaces (such as warehouses and sports halls), with radiant electric heating. Connection to a fourth-generation heat network would also be acceptable. Cost increases would be small – 2.1% for option 1 or 1.9% for option 2 for an air-conditioned office, for example. Adopting option 1 for warehouses would add almost 6% to the costs, although as the sector is keen to expand solar generation, that should not be seen as an impediment. “In all, the plans are another welcome step towards a truly solar nation,” said Hewett. “Although we are pleased that the Government is minded to make solar energy effectively mandatory on new non-domestic buildings, it is shocking that not doing so for homes is even on the table. Almost two decades after the Zero Carbon Homes policy was put forward and eight years after it was scrapped, the Government again runs the risk of a massive own goal. Solar Energy UK will press vigorously for solar to be applied to newbuild housing – cutting bills, saving carbon and helping us all move towards net zero,” he added.  

BBC Article on ROSI According to BBC, worldwide, over one terawatt of solar capacity has been installed, equating to approximately 2.5 billion solar panels, according to solar panel recycling expert Dr. Rong Deng from the University of New South Wales. Energy experts are urging governments to take immediate action to address the impending global environmental crisis posed by solar panel waste.ROSI, a specialized solar recycling company in France, aims to tackle this issue with the world’s first fully dedicated solar panel recycling factory. The facility can extract and reuse up to 99% of a panel’s components, including precious materials like silver and copper. This innovative recycling approach could enable the production of more powerful solar units and alleviate the scarcity of materials required for their construction.The media added that the exponential growth in solar panel installations, coupled with the frequent replacement of panels due to advancements in design, further emphasizes the urgency of establishing efficient recycling chains. With predictions of millions of tons of scrap panels by 2030 and over 200 million tons by 2050, the need for comprehensive recycling solutions is paramount. France is leading the way in solar panel recycling in Europe. However, ROSI is currently the only company operating at an industrial scale. Read the full article here-  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65602519