Commons enquiry into solar energy welcomed by industry

Solar Energy UK has welcomed the formal opening of a Commons inquiry into solar energy and the Prime Minister confirming his support for renewable energy.

The Environmental Audit Committee said that it would investigate the role solar technologies and energy storage can play as the UK decarbonises towards net zero as part of a broader consideration of technological innovation and climate change. It will also weigh up the regulatory, technical, development planning and other barriers to expanding small and large-scale installations, alongside supply chain issues and grid connectivity.

The inquiry will also cover whether the sector has sufficient capacity to meet the rapidly rising demand for solar panels on residential and commercial properties. Solar Energy UK is working on encouraging young people to join the industry and providing them with appropriate training in response to this challenge.

“The Environmental Audit Committee’s opening of an inquiry into solar energy is most timely, given the rapid growth of the sector this year, a direct consequence of the energy price crisis. Even so, it is still being held back, particularly by both the lack of available connections to the grid and trained installers, potential solutions for which we will be discussing with the MPs,” said Solar Energy UK chief executive Chris Hewett.

Speaking to the Commons’ Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee inquiry into the decarbonisation of the power sector, Hewett said: “The quicker we can get [solar power] onto the network, the quicker we can get expensive, volatile gas off the grid, delivering a lot of cheap power to consumers.”