Solar Energy UK
Immediate release
01.12.2021
As part of its response to climate change, the UK has adopted a legally binding commitment to achieve a net zero economy by 2050. To deliver this, the government must rethink the way energy is generated, distributed, and consumed. Local Authorities will play a key role in decarbonisation as they can influence individual and collective action and set up appropriate governance structures to create the buy-in and participation necessary to make a net zero energy system a reality.
‘How Solar Energy can deliver for Climate and Communities’ is a practical guide for Local Authorities looking to procure solar power. The methods outlined in this guidance highlight the options available to Authorities in decarbonising their assets to support the delivery of their climate action plans and the UK’s 2050 net zero targets.
However, Local Authorities are now coming under rising pressure to show how they will deliver their action plan commitments. For those committed to reducing their carbon emissions, solar PV provides an attractive solution.
This guidance describes and explains these in detail, with a step-by-step guide outlining the processes sequentially from a user’s perspective and case studies of previous successful projects across Local Authorities. Plus, a deep look into Social Housing in the last chapter, where the deployment of solar can deliver clean, affordable energy, which benefits the tenants and the Local Authority.
John Taylor, Energy Projects Manager for the Greater South East Energy Hub, a BEIS funded team helping LEPs and Local Authorities accelerate the delivery of local energy projects, said: “With COP26 behind us, it’s time for local authorities to start delivering on their net zero targets and solar power is one of the quickest ways councils can make an early impact. From procuring an electricity tariff backed by solar energy to building out solar arrays on rooftops or council owned land, this guide is designed to boost the confidence of local authorities to make the jump into solar power.”
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‘How Solar Energy can Deliver for Climate and Communities’ is sponsored by Public Power Solutions, LASER, Weightmans and AceOn.
Solar Energy UK would like to thank all individuals who have contributed to the creation of this guidance: Rachel Hayes, John Taylor, John Cape, Krane Stockwell, Levent Gurdenli, Marie-Louse Abretti, Richard Sansom and Richard Partington, the Local Authorities Working Group and special thanks to Matt Sandell, former chair of the Local Authorities Working Group and Sales Director at Gridserve, for his time and contribution to the production of this guidance.
Click here to download the guide.