UK
Why is Roof-Top Solar Growing Faster Than Utility-Scale?
The role of solar power in achieving the UK’s climate targets is well acknowledged, with its contribution to the energy mix set to increase significantly from around 15 GW today to 70 GW in the UK in 2035.
While utility-scale, ground-mounted installations have traditionally held the spotlight due to their economies of scale, the unique advantages of rooftop solar installations across residential, commercial, and industrial buildings are increasingly recognised.
Disadvantages of Utility-Scale Solar
Constraints such as planning permission delays and grid connection complexities make utility-scale installations challenging. These large installations often face social pushback due to aesthetic and land use concerns as they are perceived to compete with agricultural land and typically require corporate-level investment.
While rooftop solar installations are placed on existing buildings and facilitate onsite electricity consumption, utility-scale solar installations need to be connected to the grid for electricity transmission and distribution and can increase network constraints due to their intermittent large power flows.
Advantages of Rooftop Solar
The Power of Self-Consumption
Generating renewable energy near the point of consumption reduces the load on the transmission and distribution grids, resulting in lower network losses and reduced infrastructure upgrade costs.
With this accessible, clean, and affordable electricity, end-users also gain energy independence and protection from grid price fluctuations, resulting in significant cost savings.
The Ease of Integration
Integrating smaller solar systems behind the meter is less complex than connecting large, utility-scale systems to the grid. The distributed nature of rooftop solar opens the playing field to a wide range of stakeholders, making it a simple, adaptable, and accessible solution, crucial for achieving our ambitious climate goals.
What Can You Do?
As we strive to meet our climate targets, it’s essential to recognise the critical role of rooftop solar installations. By overcoming the challenges faced by larger installations, rooftop solar is ready to be a key player in our sustainable future. At PowerMarket, we are here to guide you through the process and help you harness the full potential of your rooftop.
