Solar Energy UK is targeting 70GW of solar by 2035. That’s 10 years to triple current capacity and help lead the transition to a clean and truly resilient energy system for the UK. Later this year, we’ll be publishing a strategic roadmap on how we’re going to make this happen. In the meantime, you can find out more about the progress we’re making in our latest Impact Report.
About us
Solar Energy UK is an established trade association working for and representing the
entire solar and energy storage value chain. We are funded largely by our membership
and represent a thriving member-led community of over 300+ businesses and associates.
Our members range from ambitious and innovative SMEs to global brands.
We are a non-profit organisation working on an exciting agenda.
To catalyse the collective strengths of our members
to build a clean energy system for everyone’s benefit.
If you know anything about Solar Energy UK, you know our core values – commitment, collaboration and credibility – underpin everything we do. From the way we work with industry leaders to the way we make things happen.
These three values go to the heart of what we’re about and they are clearly reflected in our determination for change, our partnership orientation and the robust positions we have become known for.
Solar Energy UK was founded in 1978 as the Solar Trade Association, initially to support the UK’s fledgling solar thermal industry. Later, as solar photovoltaic technologies became prevalent, the association’s remit was expanded to champion the breadth of the solar energy and energy storage value chain.
In 2021, over four decades on, our name was changed to better reflect this broader remit, although our underlying ethos remains the same – to be a powerful voice for our members and clean up the UK’s energy system by catalysing their collective strengths.
Our team
We are a small team committed to making big change in the world, working in collaboration with our members and strategic partners.
Chris Hewett, Chief Executive
Chris has 25 years’ experience in policy and campaigning on energy and the wider sustainability agenda. He was previously a Senior Fellow at the Finance Innovation Lab, an Associate at Green Alliance and Head of Climate Change for the Environment Agency.
Cherry Parker, Director of Business Development
Cherry has spent 20 years leading communications, marketing and partnerships for organisations, including Electrical Safety First, Social Enterprise UK and the Press Association. She has also worked as a business coach and served her local community as a councillor in Greenwich.
Gemma Grimes, Director of Policy and Delivery
Gemma has over 15 years’ experience in renewable energy policy and project development, having spent many years at RenewableUK, leading on onshore wind policy issues, before moving into renewables project development and consents at the National Trust and RWE. She also sits as a town councillor in Wiltshire.
Solar Energy UK is truly member led. The association and its members are subject to a rulebook, covering issues such as competition and discretion, and our voting structure means that every member has an equal say in key decisions.
Moreover, the association is overseen by a board of non-executive directors elected from our membership. Our 12 working groups covering the bredth of the solar value-chain are also chaired by members.
We value having an inclusive culture and workforce. We are committed to driving equality of opportunity for all, not only within our team but also in the wider energy industry we represent.
We welcome speculative applications from prospective employees and industry secondees and run a paid internship programme every summer. If you want to know about opportunities as they arise, please contact us.