Jul 1, 2025
UK introduces an ambitious new Solar Roadmap.
The UK government has launched a plan to quickly expand solar energy, which will lower bills, create tens of thousands of jobs, and promote economic growth using clean energy.
The Solar Roadmap outlines the necessary actions for the government and industry to achieve 45-47GW of solar capacity by 2030, supporting up to 35,000 jobs while utilizing less than 0.5% of the nation's land.
These actions involve enhancing collaboration with industry and trade organizations to identify skill shortages in the solar sector and help people enter well-paying clean energy jobs.
Research indicates that 88% of the British public supports solar energy. Since July, the government has authorized nearly 3GW of significant solar projects, surpassing the total from the last 14 years, enough to power over 500,000 homes with clean, local energy.
The roadmap was developed over two years by the Solar Taskforce, led by Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband and Solar Energy UK Chief Executive Chris Hewett, with input from key industry figures. The taskforce will soon transition into the Solar Council, which will oversee future advancements and implementation of the plan.
Practical measures in the roadmap include providing a blueprint for the industry to address challenges in planning, electricity networks, supply chain, innovation, and workforce skills.
Chris Hewett, Solar Energy UK CEO and co-chair of the Solar Taskforce, stated, “Today marks the start of a transformative era for the UK's energy production. The Solar Roadmap outlines numerous practical steps needed to enhance solar power generation, provide cheaper, more secure energy, develop new industries, create skilled jobs, improve biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Matthew Boulton, EDF Renewables UK's director of solar, storage, and private wire, expressed support for the coordinated actions in the Roadmap that will help unlock the full potential of solar energy in the UK. He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with the government and industry to realize this vision.
Alexandra Desouza, EMEA general counsel for Lightsource bp and taskforce member, remarked that the solar roadmap is crucial for the UK energy sector and especially for solar, which is essential for a secure, low-cost energy future. She highlighted that increasing solar and battery storage can keep energy costs competitive, driving economic growth and resilience for UK businesses. The focus is on achieving the goals set in the solar roadmap and fostering community collaboration, supporting farmers, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.
The Solar Roadmap outlines the necessary actions for the government and industry to achieve 45-47GW of solar capacity by 2030, supporting up to 35,000 jobs while utilizing less than 0.5% of the nation's land.
These actions involve enhancing collaboration with industry and trade organizations to identify skill shortages in the solar sector and help people enter well-paying clean energy jobs.
Research indicates that 88% of the British public supports solar energy. Since July, the government has authorized nearly 3GW of significant solar projects, surpassing the total from the last 14 years, enough to power over 500,000 homes with clean, local energy.
The roadmap was developed over two years by the Solar Taskforce, led by Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband and Solar Energy UK Chief Executive Chris Hewett, with input from key industry figures. The taskforce will soon transition into the Solar Council, which will oversee future advancements and implementation of the plan.
Practical measures in the roadmap include providing a blueprint for the industry to address challenges in planning, electricity networks, supply chain, innovation, and workforce skills.
Chris Hewett, Solar Energy UK CEO and co-chair of the Solar Taskforce, stated, “Today marks the start of a transformative era for the UK's energy production. The Solar Roadmap outlines numerous practical steps needed to enhance solar power generation, provide cheaper, more secure energy, develop new industries, create skilled jobs, improve biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Matthew Boulton, EDF Renewables UK's director of solar, storage, and private wire, expressed support for the coordinated actions in the Roadmap that will help unlock the full potential of solar energy in the UK. He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with the government and industry to realize this vision.
Alexandra Desouza, EMEA general counsel for Lightsource bp and taskforce member, remarked that the solar roadmap is crucial for the UK energy sector and especially for solar, which is essential for a secure, low-cost energy future. She highlighted that increasing solar and battery storage can keep energy costs competitive, driving economic growth and resilience for UK businesses. The focus is on achieving the goals set in the solar roadmap and fostering community collaboration, supporting farmers, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.