Solar Energy Scotland
30 June 2025
While the Westminster government has powered ahead with plans to expand solar generation, the Scottish Government’s long-due plans to boost the sector are still in the dark, says trade body Solar Energy Scotland.
It is now two and a half years since the Scottish Government released its Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan for consultation.[1] It contained a Draft Solar Vision for Scotland, intended to “maximise the contribution solar can make to a just, inclusive, transition to net zero,” and committed to set a target for the sector’s growth.
The draft added that the installation of solar energy on public sector buildings would be encouraged through the Green Public Sector Estate Decarbonisation Fund; skills gaps would be addressed; permitted development rights extended; and research conducted on the consequences of high-volume deployment of domestic and commercial-scale photovoltaics on the electricity network.
At the time, the Scottish Government expected to publish the vision in 2023. This has still not happened.
Although the Scottish Government has delivered on the commitment to permitted development rights for rooftop solar, taken steps on matching Westminster commitments on business rates incentives and committed to an ambition to scale up deployment to six gigawatts by 2030, it is yet to confirm an overall strategy to promote solar. [2,3,4] In addition, the Scottish Government has removed its support for interest free loans for domestic solar installation and many new homes are being built without rooftop solar as a requirement.[5,6]
In contrast, Whitehall’s Department for Energy Strategy and Net Zero released its Solar Roadmap today, laying out dozens of practical measures to supply cheaper, greener and more secure power, jobs all while delivering significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in biodiversity.[7] By addressing issues such as the electricity grid, supply chain, skills and planning, it will play a major role in delivering Labour’s mission for the UK to become a clean energy superpower and meet – or potentially exceed – the capacity goals set out in December’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.[8]
“It is time to catch up, and get solar moving in Scotland properly. Bills remain high, our reliance on expensive natural gas remains too great and the growth of the solar sector – the cheapest source of power in the UK – is being held back by the lack of firm policy. We are even seeing projects being delayed and refused by planning authorities on the grounds of a threat to food security, which anyone who takes five minutes to examine the land required to deliver the most ambitious of targets would conclude this is nonsense,” said Josh King, Chair of Solar Energy Scotland.[9]
“Meanwhile, the climate crisis continues, with Scotland doing too little in response,” he added.
[1] ‘Significant appetite’ for more solar power, says Scotland’s new energy plan
[2] Scotland set to reform planning rules for solar energy
[3] Scotland’s solar industry welcomes tax incentives
[4] Scottish Solar industry welcomes commitment to boost solar energy generation in Scotland
[5] ‘No warning’ of withdrawal of Scotland’s solar home loans
[6] New Scottish Building Regulations Torpedo a Solar Success Story
[7] Roadmap seizes ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity of the solar revolution
[8] Solar set to smash through Clean Power Plan targets
[9] Miliband slams food security fearmongering
– ENDS –
Editor’s notes
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Gareth Simkins, Senior Communications Adviser
Author
Gareth Simkins
Senior Communications Adviser
Talk to me about
PR and Media