Scotland has wind. Scotland has rain. But Scotland also has solar and it’s time we started taking it seriously.
At a recent webinar hosted by Energy Saving Trust as part of the Green Heat Installer Engagement Programme, Josh King, Chair of Solar Energy Scotland and Director of GenSource Ltd, delivered a powerful and myth-busting presentation on the real potential of solar energy in Scotland.
Here are the highlights from his talk and why solar must be a bigger part of Scotland’s energy future.
“Solar Doesn’t Work Here” — A Persistent Myth
Let’s get this out of the way: Yes, solar does work in Scotland. In fact, Josh pointed out that the island of Hoy in Orkney receives enough solar energy each year to power all of Scotland’s electricity, heating, and transport needs.
That’s not a projection — it’s a fact. Even with cloud cover, solar irradiance in Scotland is sufficient to make widespread deployment not only viable, but highly effective.
Scotland’s Solar Potential
With current technology, covering just 2–4% of Scotland’s land area could power the entire country. No one is suggesting we actually do that but it illustrates the scale of potential we’re currently leaving untapped.
Instead, Solar Energy Scotland is calling for a realistic, achievable goal:
4–6 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030. That’s:
• Split across homes, public buildings, and utility-scale solar farms
• Equivalent to two solar panels per person
• Capable of powering 15% of Scotland’s electricity demand
Solar Supports Electrification — and Cuts Bills
As more households adopt electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps, their electricity usage increases. Solar + battery storage can offset these higher bills and reduce strain on the grid.
Case in point: Josh shared a GenSource installation where a high-usage household covered 47% of its annual electricity needs through solar and battery alone. With proper design and data, this is now a typical result, not a one-off.
Combine that with smart tariffs like Octopus Flux, and some households are seeing energy bill savings of up to 92%.
Quick to Deploy, Backed by Public Support
Unlike offshore wind or hydrogen projects which can take years to develop, rooftop solar can be deployed in weeks.
It’s no surprise, then, that:
• 81% of the public support solar farms in their area
• 74% believe solar should be mandatory on new homes
And across Europe, that’s becoming a reality: the EU will require all new homes to include solar from 2029. England has already moved in that direction. Scotland must not be left behind.
Opportunities for Installers and New Entrants
Solar isn’t just an energy solution — it’s a jobs engine. Meeting the 6GW target could support up to 11,000 new jobs in Scotland by 2030, from electricians and designers to project managers and surveyors.
For those looking to enter the industry:
• There’s never been a better time to upskill and get involved
• Training is available now through MCS-certified providers
• The industry is growing, healthy, and no longer reliant on subsidies
What’s Next for the Sector?
Josh touched on exciting trends that will shape the future of solar in Scotland and beyond:
• Battery storage costs are falling fast, with new, more sustainable technologies like sodium-based batteries entering the market.
• Solar panel prices have dropped by 98% since 2004, while performance and power output have doubled.
Smart tariffs and financing models, like zero-bill homes, are transforming how households generate, store, and pay for electricity.
Technology is moving rapidly — and so must we. If Scotland is to meet its climate goals, protect households from high energy costs, and build a thriving green economy, solar energy must be part of the plan.
📅 This conversation continues at The Future for Solar & Storage in Scotland 2025 Conference on 11 November at COSLA in Edinburgh — where policymakers, industry leaders, and the solar community will come together to shape what’s next.
👉 Interested in attending, exhibiting or speaking?