With the Scottish Parliament election approaching, we have a narrow window to ensure solar and storage are treated as the practical, low‑regrets solutions they are: helping cut bills over time, strengthening energy resilience, and supporting electrification.
The election on 7 May will shape Scotland’s energy policy for the next five years. We will see a swathe of new MSPs, new ministers, and a new programme for government. The incoming government will set the framework for planning consents, grid connections and clean energy finance that determines whether Scotland’s solar and storage industry can deliver at scale. Decisions made in the first year of the new parliament will either unlock or delay billions in private investment.
Scotland currently lags behind England and Wales on several fronts: there is no equivalent rooftop solar mandate, grid connection costs remain disproportionately high north of the border, and the planning system has yet to be reformed to reflect the pace of deployment the climate emergency demands.
The next Holyrood government has the tools to fix this –
and you can help make the case. Get in touch with your local candidates to let them know the solar and storage industry is ready to deliver.
Solar Energy Scotland manifesto asks
Our five priorities for the next Scottish Government are:
- Set a clear ambition for 9GW of solar by 2035
- Unleash rooftop solar
- Unlock affordable finance for solar and storage
- Level the playing field for grid connections with the rest of the UK
- Build Scottish solar skills through Green Skills Hubs
Manifesto (share this link with candidates):
How members can help (simple steps)
1) Identify your candidates (constituency + regional list)
Use this tool to find candidates standing where you live or work:
2) Email candidates in your own words
Please ask two simple questions:
- Do you support the Solar Energy Scotland manifesto asks (link above)?
- What will you do in the next Parliament to help deliver them (locally and nationally)?
3) Offer constructive engagement (optional)
If a candidate is open to it, consider inviting them to your office or an appropriate project/site visit. Guidance and templates are available here:
If you invite one candidate, it is good practice to offer the opportunity to other local candidates too.
4) Share helpful replies
If you receive a response that would help the wider sector, please forward it to: publicaffairs@solarenergyuk.org
Author
Gareth Simkins
Senior Communications Adviser
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