‘Solar Strategy’ launched by the Government

The Government has recently launched their ‘Solar Strategy’ to increase solar panel deployment on the roofs of commercial, industrial and larger public buildings.

The strategy aims to make it easier for commercial building owners to take advantage of solar power generation. Changes to the regulations mean commercial properties could have solar panels installed on their roofs without the need to submit a formal planning application. This is due to an extension of Permitted Development rights for roof installation.

Energy Minister Greg Barker explained the reasons for the ‘Solar Strategy’:

“We want to move the emphasis for growth away from large solar farms and instead focus on opening up the solar market for the UK’s estimated 250,000 hectares of south facing commercial rooftops. Solar increasingly offers efficient and cost effective onsite generation opportunities to both businesses and domestic consumers, and our strategy makes a step change in our ambition for both. as a means to generate renewable energy.”

“We see the future for the industry in the UK centred primarily in two key markets:

• growing the momentum on deploying PV at smaller scale (typically smaller than 4 kWp, but up to 50 kWp) on and in housing, small commercial premises and community buildings; and
• increasing significantly mid-size deployment (larger than 50 kWp and up to 1 MWp), particularly on commercial and industrial buildings but also on larger public and community buildings.”

Benefits of  Solar Panels

• Reduce your electricity bills
• Get paid for the electricity you generate, through the Government’s Feed-In Tariff – even if you use it.
• Sell any surplus electricity that you produce back to the grid, through the Government’s Export Tariff
• Cut your business’ carbon footprint

Contact Hopkins

We can help property owners, landlords or tenants to understand the rules with regards to installing solar panels, and provide more information about the Government’s new strategy. For more information contact our Commercial Property teams in Mansfield or Nottingham.