Rooftops and car parks can power Hampshire to solar energy targets

More than half of solar panels required to hit government net-zero targets could be fitted on rooftops and car parks according to research commissioned by CPRE and carried out by the UCL Energy Institute.

• Majority of required solar capacity could be installed on existing buildings and car parks, with almost universal public support
• Decarbonising the grid requires far less land than previously feared
• Installing solar panels should be a requirement of planning permission for all car parks, new buildings and major renovations in Hampshire

More than half of solar panels required to hit government net-zero targets could be fitted on rooftops and car parks according to research commissioned by CPRE and carried out by the UCL Energy Institute. The report found that decarbonising the grid requires far less land than previously feared.

John continues: “This is a particularly big opportunity in Hampshire where we have lots of hours of sunshine. There is enormous potential to make use of our rooftops, both commercial and domestic, car parks and other developed spaces to generate renewable energy while protecting valuable landscapes.”

The government has set a national target of 70GW of solar energy generation by 2035.

Analysis of the solar photovoltaic capacity of rooftops and car parks across England found installing solar panels on existing rooftops and land such as car parks could provide at least 40-50GW in England by 2035.

With further investment, by 2050 there is potential for up to 117GW of low carbon electricity to be generated from roofs and other developed spaces.

Mr Rosling said: “CPRE Hampshire wants to see all suitable new developments required to have rooftop solar as standard. We also want to see a massive programme of climate-proofing existing buildings through insulation, rooftop solar and low-carbon heating.”

With the right policies, rooftop solar could hand power back to the people. A decentralised future of renewable energy cooperatives, supported by the government, is a realistic option in a net-zero world.

For those looking to start their own solar revolution, there are already group-buying discounts in Hampshire  Solar buying scheme | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk)

Read the full report and sign a petition backing the rooftop renewable revolution