This has been a big year for the UK’s solar and storage industry, with major developments in the sector, most of them positive. Here’s a look at this year’s top stories that moved the industry:
In February, Solar Power Portal covered a report from Aurora Energy Research projecting a sevenfold increase in large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity across Europe.
Bloomberg highlighted that the UK added more large-scale capacity in 2022 than any other nation and is predicted to quintuple its energy storage capacity by 2030.
👉 Read the February article here.
In March, a survey supported by Solar Energy UK revealed that solar farms deliver significant biodiversity gains and have the potential to offer even more.
The study, which analyzed 87 solar sites in 2023, found that vulnerable and red-listed species like skylarks, yellowhammers, linnets, and starlings thrive on UK solar farms. Brown hares, a species under conservation concern, made up 40% of mammal observations.
👉 Access the full report here.
Ending the year on a high note, scientists at Oxford unveiled a thin-film perovskite solar cell with over 27% conversion efficiency.
At just over one micron thick, it’s nearly 150 times thinner than a silicon wafer and can be applied to almost any building or surface. This innovation could redefine photovoltaics.
👉 Read the full article here.
In February, Downing Renewable Developments (DRD) revealed plans for the 750MW Meridian Solar Farm in Lincolnshire. While a DCO application hasn’t yet been filed, the first phase of public consultations concluded in June.
👉 Learn more about the plans here.
Shortly after being elected, energy secretary Ed Miliband granted development consent orders (DCOs) totaling over 1.3GW of renewable energy capacity, including:
👉 More on Miliband’s approvals here.
In September, Island Green Power announced plans for a 500MW solar and BESS project in Norfolk. The project is expected to begin the DCO application process in 2025.
👉 Explore details of the project here.
In May, then-energy secretary Claire Coutinho urged councils not to approve solar farms on high-quality farmland.
Ed Miliband, the new Secretary of State for DESNZ, countered in July, highlighting that ground-mounted solar took up only 0.1% of UK land in 2022 and vowing to base future decisions on evidence, not myths.
👉 Read more on Coutinho’s statement and its aftermath here.
In April, King Charles’ Sandringham Estate submitted plans for a 2.1MW solar and battery storage facility.
The panels, planned for horse grazing paddocks, will supply power to the estate’s sawmill, visitor center, and house.
👉 Learn about the King’s project here.
In October, Cardiff City Council approved a 1GW BESS, the largest in the UK to date, to be constructed alongside a data center in Splott.
The project includes 828 containerized battery units and integrates tree planting for environmental benefits.
👉 Read more about the project here.