I am grateful to have the opportunity to attend the #UKSolarSummit organized by Solar Media Limited. A solar task force, a joint secretariat between Solar Energy UK and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, is diligently working towards the ambitious target of achieving 70 GW of solar capacity by 2035 in the United Kingdom. While this goal trails behind Germany’s target of 215 GW installed solar capacity by 2030, it is anticipated to cover 15% of the UK’s electricity demand.
Despite the optimistic vision, several critical barriers must be addressed to ensure the timely execution of this plan. Three primary challenges, in my opinion, include:
- The planning system, currently understaffed and time-consuming, poses a significant obstacle to achieving the set goal. A structural redesign approach, including addressing organisational inertia and rapid training and recruitment of middle management, is essential for overcoming this hurdle.
2. Grid connection issues, particularly the extended waiting times (av. 10 years waiting times) and the complexity arising from the diversity of Distribution Network Operators (14 DNOs!), require regulatory bodies to establish consistent guidelines. Achieving uniformity between different DNOs is a step ahead in streamlining the grid connection process.
3. Energy storage – vital for managing fluctuations in energy generation and demand. While decentralised energy storage, encompassing behind-the-meter storage and electric vehicles, presents a readily available and swift solution, the underestimated utility-scale potential of residential energy storage demands closer consideration. This presents an opportunity for community-driven behind-the-meter energy storage initiatives.
Chris Hewett, Solar Energy UK, rightly points out that ‘Slightly off radar now, utility-scale of residential is not seen, but is an important solution.’ Instead of relying on large-scale energy storage facilities, embracing a collaborative approach involving diverse stakeholders is crucial. Case studies and flagship projects need to be designed to showcase the viability of community-scale storage solutions, with community energy organisations playing a pivotal role supporting this transition.
By Ionna Trofimova Elliot, Director, Borderless Renewables