We have commented on many occasions about numerous solar farms being built in various parts of the UK. Many of these developments have been situated on farmland in the countryside and have had the support of local planners as the UK strives towards trying to achieve its carbon emission and renewable energy targets.
Will we see as many solar farms being approved here in the UK?
Obviously, the Government has been fully supportive of such developments although it is interesting to hear of Greg Barker, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, recently commenting that he wishes to see solar panels on houses, roofs of industrial units and brownfield sites rather than in the countryside.
Apparently, new guidelines about renewable energy are to be provided to local councils in respect of providing planning permission for the erection of solar panel farms. These guidelines are going to be forthcoming in the summer of 2013 when it is expected that they will make it clear that, although the UK is fully supportive of renewable energy and carbon emission targets being met, full consideration must be given to any concerns raised by people living in the locality of where the possible solar farm would be located. The new guidelines will make it quite clear what is considered to be a controversial development of solar panels.
Apparently, farmers that install huge solar panel farms can receive as much as £50,000 per annum in subsidies so you can perhaps see what the attraction is for many farmers who have seen other sources of their income that they have historically derived from farming be eroded. There are believed to be in excess of 100 solar farm planning applications in the system.
However, these new guidelines are not expected to impact on solar panel installations that are on a smaller scale made by families on their homes, farmhouses and on industrial land. Solar panel installations on public buildings will also continue.
It will be interesting to find out what impact, if any, the above would have in helping the UK achieve its carbon emission and renewable energy targets.
