Solar Energy UK have conducted a study assessing the public attitudes towards Solar developments. The study found the public attitude toward Solar has shifted with increased projects and the acceleration of the energy transition.
Increasing the number of Solar projects has created more opportunities to decarbonise the UK economy and electricity network.
However, it is not all sunshine and rainbows. Local communities have raised concerns about new solar developments changing their local landscapes. The study found 42% of people living near existing, proposed or under-construction solar farms strongly support the sectors development and 92% of people showed supportive or neutral attitudes.
It is the remaining percentages where Solar Energy UK CEO, Chris Hewitt, wants to focus on:
“Understanding public perceptions are key for Solar to play a role in achieving net zero by 2050.”
The need for accelerated solar development is clear but Solar Energy UK’s report demonstrates there are many public misconceptions around solar’s deployment. Solar Energy UK identified many of these misconceptions arise at the developmental stage of solar projects; this is where reassurance should be strongest.
Only 17% of people show a strong support of Solar projects during the developmental stage, the figure increases to 61.5% once the sites are fully operational.
To ensure public reassurance is present throughout a Solar projects lifecycle, Solar Energy UK must answer the question…
How can the industry deliver solar projects quickly at the scale needed and bring the community along for the journey?
Debunking the myths around Solar projects could increase the public reassurance of solar projects. Solar Energy UK have identified the three common misconceptions around Solar developments…
- The negative impact on Wildlife
The study found that 27.5% of people perceive the most important impact of Solar farms is on local wildlife, despite the fact there is clear evidence that ‘well designed, well managed solar can support wildlife habitats and can contribute to achieving national bio-diversity targets.’
- No direct benefits to local community
There is a common misconception that solar projects have limited to no direct benefits to the local communities they impact. Only 32% of people highlighted that ‘the provision of low-cost, clean energy to the local area as a key benefit’ of local solar projects.
With the current energy crisis, Solar Energy UK highlighting this benefit is essential to increasing public reassurance in Solar projects.
- Environmental benefit and poor positioning of Solar sites
53% of those asked in the Solar Energy UK study were not aware that solar farms can deliver biodiversity net gains on site.
The sustainable investment manager Downing LLP commissioned Clarkson & Woods to undertake a biodiversity assessment of 19 ground mounted solar farms in 2022. Across the 19, a total of 1419 habitat units and 327 hedgerow unites are currently accommodated within these sites.
It is important to note that sites of Solar projects are selected based on its access to the National grid. Only 7% of the population have acknowledged this process.
Overall, Solar Energy UK have identified that whilst support for Solar development is considerable, positivity towards projects face challenges through insufficient knowledge and common misconceptions. Solar Energy UK must increase resources allow information to be easily accessible to avoid public misunderstanding.
Once this happens, the development of solar sites can provide environmental protection to wildlife and increase employment opportunities for the public.
Individuals’ from Solar Energy UK speaking at Solar and Storage Live Birmingham include:
- Kara Davies, Residential Policy Analyst, Solar Energy UK
- Chris Hewett, Chief Executive, Solar Energy UK
- Gareth Simkins, Senior Communications Adviser, Solar Energy UK
- Gemma Grimes, Director of Policy & Delivery, Solar Energy UK
- Harvie Agnew, Policy Analyst, Solar Energy UK
The Solar and Storage Live agenda can be found here.
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