UK solar generation rises 174% y/y in Q2 2016

Solar generation in the UK surged 174% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2016 and accounted for 22.1% of the overall renewable power production, according to data by EnAppSys.

The rise of solar is due to a major build-out by companies looking to take advantage of Renewables Obligation (RO) support for sub 5-MW projects, the energy information provider said. The rush to complete projects coincides with a steep drop in coal generation, which led to solar overtaking coal power volumes for the first time in May, as was previously reported by Carbon Brief. Coal produced 0.89 TWh of electricity in May, while solar generated 1.38 TWh.

Overall renewable generation in the April-June period declined by 3% quarter-on-quarter due to slower winds, but was up 10% on the previous year.

Wind remained the leading renewable source producing 5.98 TWh of electricity and accounting for 35.7% the renewable power volumes. It was followed by biomass with a 34.4% share. Compared with a year ago, wind generation was down 11%, while biomass was up 46%. Solar ranked third in terms of market share, ahead of hydro, which was responsible for 7.8% of renewable power output.

The total share of renewables in overall power generation was 23.1% in the second quarter, up from 22% in January-March.

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