By 2035, photovoltaic systems will be installed on existing buildings on roofs and other land such as car parks, according to an independent review commissioned by the UK's rural charity CPRE, will provide Britain with more than 40-50 GW of clean energy. This potential could rise to 117 GW by 2050 if rooftop PV systems are properly funded.
These projections mean that much less land will be needed to decarbonise the UK's power grid than previously feared. The report assesses the UK Government's target of installing 70 GW of photovoltaic systems by 2035, adding that prioritising rooftop PV systems will also gradually eliminate the need for additional large green spaces.
To take full advantage of the near-universal public support for rooftop PV systems and unleash the full potential of the technology, the report makes six recommendations to the UK government:
set a national target: the CPRE recommends meeting the target of installing rooftop PV systems of more than 40 gigawatts to ensure wider deployment targets by 2035.
Revision of planning regulations and future housing standards to ensure that they include the cooperation of local authorities in conducting audits of buildings suitable for rooftop photovoltaic systems in their communities; and compliance of photovoltaic modules with the standard requirements for new buildings; Major external changes to existing buildings require comprehensive planning permission unless they meet future residential standards; planning permission is required to install photovoltaic systems in car parks.
Introduction of a landscape framework for the installation of photovoltaic systems on the ground: this includes the introduction of a land-use framework and a re-examination of national and local planning policies.
Provide financial support: develop a set of market-based actions to support the roof revolution, such as government-backed upgrades to low-cost loans and smart export guarantees.
Encourage Community Energy: update national planning and energy policies to stimulate community participation in renewable energy schemes.
Distribution network operators invest in local grid capacity-in partnership with Ofgem-to better adapt to the growth of the photovoltaic system and heat pump generation market. Roger Mortlock, chief executive of the CPRE, said: “Given the urgency of the climate crisis, it is time to make renewable energy the standard for all new developments.”.
Home users want to install photovoltaic systems on the roofs of their new homes, and it's crazy to see a large warehouse the size of a football field. Britain's electricity system is still fossil-fuel-based and does not have a net-zero emissions plan. The first step must be that all new buildings and major renovations require the installation of photovoltaic systems as a condition for planning permission, unless there are good reasons not to do so.