UK's energy minister sees up to 20 GW of PV

Oct 8, 2013 - Britain saw its installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity surge to 2,413 MW at end-June 2013 from only 94 MW at end-2010, while Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker believes that 20 GW within a decade is achievable.

Today the UK government revealed the “Roadmap to a Brighter Future” which describes the vision for the future of PV in Britain. In the spring of 2014 the government will reveal its first solar PV strategy.

“Along with many in the industry, I think that up to 20 GW of deployed solar is not only desirable but also potentially achievable within a decade,” Barker said at the foreword of the solar roadmap. The British government plan is to work closely with local businesses and the energy industry to define the future of the PV sector at home.

The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) sees 10 GW as the likeliest PV capacity figure for 2020. The latest public opinion monitor showed that solar power enjoys 85% acceptance or more than any other renewable energy technologies.

The roadmap again stresses on the importance of appropriate siting and environmental assessment as important elements of solar projects along with the need to take into consideration the views of local communities. “But big ambition must also be matched by a much greater sensitivity to impacts on landscape, visual amenity and biodiversity,” Barker also said. The effect of all projects on the grid, including balancing and incentives, also needs to be studies in order to address the significant challenge that solar energy poses for grid operators.

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