Why the Nimbys are wrong about solar farms

i asked experts whether it is feasible for the UK to do without new solar farms and instead confine new solar panel installations to the rooftops of households, offices and other business properties.

Experts were clear that there needs to be a huge and rapid increase in renewable energy generation if the UK is to have any chance of meeting its highly ambitious climate targets.

The 600 MW Cottam Solar farm that was granted planning permission in September would be the UK ’s largest.

Government estimates 250,000 hectares of south-facing, industrial roof space across the country.

That’s an area bigger than London and Manchester combined.

Rooftop solar can power homes and businesses onsite without pulling from the grid.

But rooftop solar can play a big role, accounting for perhaps 40 per cent of new installation.

Experts say there is considerable scope to increase this in the coming years .

For a typical house, installing a PV system could lower bills by the equivalent of nearly 330 every year over the 30-year lifespan of the system.

This in turn creates a stable grid system with less demand side pressure, as well as supplementary energy.