Scotland’s solar energy industry today welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that it is committing to significantly increase the amount of solar energy generation in Scotland by 2030.

The commitment to a minimum of 4 Gigawatts and an ambition to 6GW will mean a more than tenfold increase in the number of solar panels installed in Scotland. The announcement was made by Green Minister Lorna Slater at the Scottish Green Party conference in Dunfermline this weekend.

Chris Hewett, Chief Executive at SEUK, said: “Solar Energy UK welcomes this statement of intent from the Scottish Government to fully exploit the potential of solar energy, in line with the ambitions that industry has been advocating. We look forward to discussing with the Government how the industry will bring forward proposals for community benefit that ensure sufficient projects can be built by 2030 whilst providing real value for local people and nature. This truly will be a win-win-win.”

Thomas McMillan, Chair of Solar Energy Scotland said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Scottish Government has committed to a level of ambition for deploying solar technology as part of Scotland’s energy mix. For too long solar has been sitting in the shadows of the wind sector which has meant Scotland has lagged behind on solar deployment. A clear target and ambition for the technology will help to dispel the myth that solar is not a major resource in Scotland. With an area the size of the Isle of Hoy receiving enough sunlight to meet all of Scotland’s energy needs, the solar industry looks forward to working with the Scottish Government and other key stakeholders to deliver 4 to 6 GWs of solar by 2030.”

“The delivery of 4 to 6 GWs of solar in Scotland by 2030 will create jobs, reduce carbon emissions and help tackle the cost-of-living crisis. As a modular technology, solar is by far, the most affordable and accessible renewable energy technology, it can be installed on residential buildings, commercial buildings, carports or as a ground mounted system as a solar farm.”

“Setting a clear target for solar will benefit the industry, boosting investment and will ensure coherent action and direction across many policy areas, ranging from planning decisions on projects to creating green economic opportunities for people across Scotland. The Scottish Government has listened and acted, and we applaud them for that. Vision, ambition, and action are the three essential ingredients that are required in political leadership to address the climate crisis.”

“We look forward to working with the government and all stakeholders to make 6GWs of installed solar in Scotland by 2030 happen. We are ready and willing as an industry to deliver.”

Solar can reduce business costs and there are thousands of business roof tops that could install solar with many projects currently having payback periods of less than 4 years. Solar farms can provide biodiversity benefits on a large scale, as well as providing ongoing grazing land and food production opportunities. Solar installed in homes alongside heat pumps and batteries can result in significant reductions in energy costs and can directly address fuel poverty.