The UK’s Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, has set ambitious targets to increase the coverage of solar panels across the country. By the end of the decade, he aims to have 0.4 per cent of the UK’s land surface covered in solar panels, which is less than the area currently dedicated to golf courses. Currently, solar farms occupy only about 0.06 per cent of the land, with the majority being built on former farmland.
Despite this, there were concerns raised by the previous Conservative government about the impact of solar panels on agricultural land. They considered banning solar power on the richest agricultural land to protect the country’s food production. However, the current Labour government has taken a different approach. They have proposed a “land use framework” that aims to reduce the likelihood of solar schemes being built on the best soils.
Recent research published in the journal Progress in Energy has shed more light on the matter. The study analyzed satellite images and found that 65 per cent of solar farms in the UK were built on former arable land. This suggests that the focus has been on redeveloping disused farmland rather than using prime agricultural land.
The largest solar energy park in the UK is the Shotwick solar energy park in Deeside, north Wales, which produces 72 megawatts of electricity per year and covers an area of 250 acres. This project has provided a boost to the region’s renewable energy production and has helped to reduce carbon emissions.
While there are concerns about the impact of solar panels on agricultural land, the benefits of renewable energy far outweigh the drawbacks. Solar power not only helps to reduce carbon emissions, but it also creates jobs and stimulates local economies. Moreover, the technology continues to improve, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
The UK has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon emissions and meet its climate change goals. Renewable energy sources, such as solar power, play a crucial role in achieving these targets. The government’s commitment to increasing the coverage of solar panels across the country is a step in the right direction.