Solar Energy UK
21 March 2025
Great British Energy’s decision to finance £180m of solar energy for schools and hospitals across England has been praised by trade association Solar Energy UK.[1]
The body’s first major investment is expected to deliver 70-100 megawatts of generation capacity, boosting the capacity of the commercial-scale* solar sector by up to 2.5%. The investment could also include battery energy storage systems, allowing excess solar power to be retained for use in the evening, rather than buying expensive electricity from the grid.
Solar Energy UK has also welcomed an additional £12m to support community energy, which commonly backs solar projects on the public estate, plus £9.3m for projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“This is a very wise piece of public investment. Slashing bills while cutting emissions is exactly why Great British Energy was established. Just like households, schools and hospitals alike have been beset by high energy bills over recent years, pulling precious funds from where they should be going. So every penny put into solar photovoltaics and energy storage for public buildings means more cash for the services we all depend on – and help teach the next generation the value of renewable energy,” said Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK.
The largest rooftop solar installation in the country is at the Port of Hull, coming to 6.5MW.[2] The largest known to be planned is 31MW, at the Port of Liverpool.[3]
[1] Great British Energy to cut bills for hospitals and schools
[3] Record-breaking rooftop solar project welcomed by Solar Energy UK
– ENDS –
Editor’s notes
*Commercial-scale refers to medium-sized solar installations, typically on supermarkets, factories and warehouses. The sector’s total capacity is estimated at around four gigawatts.
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Gareth Simkins, Senior Communications Adviser
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Gareth Simkins
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