Trends And Developments In Solar Energy In The UK

The use of solar energy is growing rapidly in the UK, owing to government initiatives to support photovoltaic modules and the development of new technologies such as wind and solar power.

The Government announced in 2012 that millions of homes across the UK would be generating electricity using solar panels by 2020. At that time, the government estimated that the UK would contribute more than half of the world’s installed solar capacity by 2020.

Free energy anytime

Experts at https://www.atlanticrenewables.co.uk explain that together with an integrated battery, these high-strength solar tiles can store and convert solar energy during the day and then make it available at any time.

And not only that, recent figures suggest that new-generation solar systems can even compete with rooftop systems of traditional solar modules in terms of price.

Elon Musk believes a solar roof will cost just £1,000 per square foot soon, predicting a future where homes will be able to make money. The Tesla Solar Roof is touted to turn a home into a utility based on the household’s energy production.

Growing capacity

By the end of January 2019, UK solar capacity had been provisionally installed at 979,983 plants, with an average output of 3,250 kW per plant. It was estimated that this would rise to 5,000 kW by 2040. The British solar arrays are made from a mixture of photovoltaic modules, solar cells, and solar panels.

Benefits of solar for residential communities

Solar’s benefits for small residential complexes include maintaining cost savings for the local community, strengthening household autonomy, promoting renewable energy, and raising awareness among local communities of the benefits of solar energy for the environment through direct experience.

Ahead of schedule

The drastically reduced cost of converting sunlight into electricity has exceeded forecasts by a decade, accelerating the transition to a clean energy system. At an average of £0.05 per kWh, the cost of generating solar power has reached a low point that the International Energy Agency had expected only six years ago for the middle of this century.

How far solar has come

Initially, photovoltaic cells were used exclusively for off-grid rooftop photovoltaic systems to power remote homes, or devices such as a calculator, powered by a single solar cell.

As the cost of solar power has fallen, the number of grid-connected solar plants in the UK has grown to millions, with some built up to 1,000 megawatts (MW) or more.

Solar energy is rapidly becoming a cost-effective low-carbon technology that harnesses renewable energy from the sun. Some of the world’s best solar power systems now offer solar panels for homes, businesses and schools, as well as for commercial and industrial purposes.

The future is solar

The 464-page outlook published by the IEA also outlines the future of renewable energy in the UK and the impact of climate change on the economy. In 2018, the IEA predicted a significant increase in demand for renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, but its main scenario included a detailed new analysis showing that solar energy is 20-50% cheaper than thought. Because of this, it offered four paths to 2040 that will lead to a significant increase in renewable energy. To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.