William Eichler 23 May 2023

Rooftop solar panels should be fitted as standard, charity says

Rooftop solar panels should be fitted as standard, charity says image
Image: surasak jailak / Shutterstock.com.

The majority of the solar panels required to reach the Government’s net zero targets could be fitted on rooftops and car parks rather than in the countryside, campaigners say.

The Government has set a national target of 70GW of solar energy generation by 2035 as part of the effort to reduce carbon emissions.

A new study by University College London’s Energy Institute has found that installing solar panels on existing rooftops and car parks could provide at least 40-50GW in England by 2035.

Commissioned by the countryside charity CPRE, the study also suggests that with further investment there is potential for up to 117GW of low carbon electricity to be generated from roofs and other developed spaces by 2050.

CPRE is calling on the Government to ensure all suitable new buildings have rooftop solar as standard.

Roger Mortlock, chief executive of CPRE, said: ‘We are missing a trick in failing to install more solar panels on roofs and car parks. Rooftop solar has almost universal public support. It’s unobtrusive and largely out of the line of sight, which means less objections and a speedier passage through the planning system.’

Prof. Mark Barrett of the UCL Energy Institute, lead author of the research, said: ‘It’s clear we can get close to meeting the Government’s solar energy target without necessitating the development of large solar farms in sensitive rural areas. Urban photovoltaic panels on car parks, and new and large buildings, would be relatively cheap although retrofitting solar panels onto existing homes would be more costly.’

Sign up here to recieve our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner