Trade association Solar Energy UK has released a manifesto calling for 50GW of solar power and 30GW of zero-carbon energy storage by 2030.
It urges the next UK government to develop a roadmap for achieving this within the first 100 days of office.
By the end of 2024, the UK will have about 20GW of solar generation and 8GW of energy storage. The goals outlined by Solar Energy UK aim to align with the government’s target of 70GW of solar by 2035.
The manifesto highlights five key actions needed from the government:
- Embrace UK Solar
- Leverage solar and storage benefits
- Accelerate the network for net zero
- Build skills for green jobs
- Implement a renewables-first market reform
Solar Energy UK has identified inconsistent planning and a lack of consideration for the relationship between energy security, food security, and nature restoration as barriers to fully embracing solar.
The manifesto stresses that solar energy can contribute to all these areas simultaneously and calls for consistent planning decisions to avoid investment uncertainties and prolonged reliance on fossil fuels. The association notes that solar planning is refused more than any other development type.
One major goal is to make solar and storage technologies accessible to all, including low-income households and public projects. With over 1.5m rooftop solar installations, the manifesto points out the need for government support in expanding access.
It also emphasises the importance of utility-scale developments, suggesting that the government set a national target for energy storage to guide industry growth.
Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK, explained to Solar Power Portal that setting an energy storage target to clarify market direction and ensure that flexibility is delivered through zero-carbon technology.
The manifesto also addresses the need to upgrade the energy grid to meet net-zero goals. Solar Energy UK calls for the next government to ensure that Ofgem allows more investment in the grid, improving operator services and modernising management systems.
Creating green jobs is another focus of the manifesto. To achieve net zero, the government must provide opportunities for the workforce to transition to renewable energy sectors and support the necessary maintenance infrastructure. This includes promoting career opportunities through green skills hubs and expanding domestic manufacturing of solar-related technologies.
Hewett highlights the potential for future technologies like flexible solar and thin-film products: “Innovators in the UK are developing those products, so we want to support those as much as possible.”
To remain competitive internationally, Solar Energy UK calls for a level playing field for solar and energy storage technologies. The manifesto notes the importance of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which has successfully supported solar capacity.
However, the current budget for Allocation Round 6 of the CfD scheme will only facilitate less than 2GW of the more than 11GW of approved solar capacity, putting targets at risk.
Hewett says:
“If you look at the way the energy market is governed through regulation, whether it’s the way CfDs are structured or whether it’s the way that REMA is being taken forward, whether it’s the capacity market and balancing mechanisms or even the generator levy, all of those different economic and regulatory interventions will shape the market.
“I think a new government needs to look at them and ask how we can ensure a level playing field.”
Overall, the manifesto presents a comprehensive plan for boosting the UK’s solar and energy storage capabilities, emphasising government support, regulatory consistency, and investment in future technologies and green jobs.
