• The REA responds to recent criticism of solar development during the Conservative leadership race;
• It follows reports that leadership candidate Liz Truss has pledged to change planning laws to restrict further solar development;
• The REA expresses its concerns, warning restrictions on solar put jobs, investment and Net Zero at risk.

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) have responded to recent criticism of solar developments in the UK during the Conservative leadership race, urging the candidates to recognise that solar projects support, not harm, agriculture and are essential to meeting the UK’s Net Zero targets.

Leadership candidates have expressed the view that solar farm developments should be replaced with crops and livestock, adding uncertainty to both the solar industry and the energy transition. The independent National Food Strategy Review concluded that solar projects do not present a risk to the UK’s food security.

The REA says that the solar industry aims to work in conjunction with, not against, the agricultural use of land, commonly by either building on marginal land or ensuring multi-land use applications. In doing so, it provides additional revenue to farmers, supplementing, not stopping, more traditional livestock and arable farming activities.

Furthermore, the REA indicates solar’s popularity, noting that the BEIS Public Attitudes Tracking Survey June 2022 shows 90% total support for solar and only 1% total in opposition, making solar the most popular renewable technology.

Mark Sommerfeld, Head of Power and Flexibility at the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:

“The language used so far over the course of the Conservative leadership race regarding solar and land use is deeply concerning, and the REA urges the candidates to recognise that solar farms do not encroach on agricultural land.

“The solar industry aims to work in conjunction with, not against, agricultural use of land, commonly by either building on marginal land or ensuring multi-land use applications. In doing so, it provides additional revenue to farmers – supplementing, not stopping, more traditional livestock and arable farming activities.

“Furthermore, recent surveys indicate 90% total support for solar with only 1% total in opposition, making solar the most popular renewable technology.

“Given the current heatwave, and the loss of crops as drought is declared across eight regions of England, it seems odd that the Conservative leadership candidates should be pushing against one of the cheapest solutions to replacing gas imports that are driving up energy bills and the cost of living.

“Pledging to change planning laws to restrict further solar development would pose a serious threat to the jobs and investment created by the solar industry. It would undermine the UK’s ability to reach Net Zero and keep us locked in to expensive fossil fuels at a huge cost to households and businesses. Delivering more solar projects is not only an environmental imperative, but an economic one too.”

—ENDS—