What is Labour’s Plan for Solar Panels?

On 5^th July 2024, the general election saw the Labour Party succeed with 412 seats secured and the largest majority government in 25 years.

Recognising the UK’s capabilities for greener energy, one of their main manifesto chapters is to transform the country into a clean energy superpower. With this, they are looking to:

• Implement Clean Power by 2030 – Working with the private sector, Labour will double onshore wind, triple solar power, and quadruple offshore wind by 2030.

• Switch on British Green Energy – Creating a public-owned company called Great British Energy that delivers power back to the British people, Labour will partner with industry and trade unions, co-invest in leading technologies, support capital-intensive projects and deploy local energy production.

• Ensure an Energy System Reform – Labour will do this by guaranteeing a tougher regulation system that puts consumers first and work with the industry to upgrade national transmission infrastructure.

• Provide High Quality Jobs – Part of the clean energy superpower will be rebuilding supply chains, working with business and trade unions and exporting future technologies; this will all, in turn, create new high quality jobs.

• Introduce the Warm Homes Plan – This includes offering grants and low interest loans to support insulation investments, solar panels, batteries and low carbon heating which will result in lower energy bills.

• Accelerate to Net Zero – By making sure the institutional framework for policy making reflects their commitments and meets their carbon budgets, Labour will be able to reach Net Zero.

• Improve Resilience – In doing so across central government, local authorities, local communities and emergency services, they can effectively tackle flooding and coastal erosion.

• Protect Nature – Labour will take action to meet Environment Act targets and restore and protect nature by working in partnership with civil society, communities and business.

• Restore Clean Water – To help reduce polluted waters, Labour will instruct water companies to clean our supplies and impose automatic, severe fines for wrongdoings.

• Support British Famers – Championing British farming whilst protecting the environment, Labour have set targets for 50% of all food purchased across the public sector to be locally produced or certified.

• Guarantee Strong Animal Welfare – This includes banning trail hunting and hunting trophy importing, ending puppy smuggling and farms, stopping the use of snare traps and to phase out animal testing.

Let’s take a closer look at Labour’s plans for solar panels and how it affects businesses.

What is the Rooftop Revolution?

The “rooftop revolution” is a plan from the Labour party to encourage millions more homes to be fitted with solar panels as well as see more solar farms created.

Three solar farms in the East of England have already been approved in Lincolnshire, Suffolk-Cambridgeshire border, and Lincolnshire-Rutland border. It is said that these sites will deliver around two thirds of the solar energy installed on rooftops and the ground in 2023.

Improvements to the National Grid will have to be made as more solar farms are welcomed, but this is a promising start which will help bring energy bills down and tackle the climate crisis.

The East of England is at the forefront of the green energy revolution with plans in the pipeline for more solar farms, so what does this mean for businesses?

How Do Labour’s Plans for Solar Panels Affect Agribusiness?

Transitioning to regenerative agricultural practices can see huge benefits to the food system, the climate crisis and nature goals. These include:

Reduced Energy Costs – For operations that require substantial energy for irrigation, heating, cooling and processing, the lower and more predictable electricity bills can be extremely beneficial. Further reducing the overall cost of energy are grants or tax credits for installing solar panels. Also, by becoming less dependent on the grid, generating your own electricity is much more reliable.

Additional Revenue Streams – Whether you’re using the electricity generation for your own benefit or leasing your land to solar companies, there are ways in which you can increase your revenue streams. You can sell excess power back to the grid and leasing can provide a steady income without impacting agricultural production.

Increased Sustainability – Farms can reduce their carbon footprint which contributes to more sustainable farming practices. The commitment to sustainability also enhances the business’ reputation and appeals to environmentally conscious consumers and partners.

How can Noble Green Energy help?

At Noble Green Energy, we are driven to provide high output, competitive cost solar PV solutions for businesses in a range of industries – agricultural solar PV and solar PV for industrial businesses included. Whether you’re looking to add solar panels to a few acres of land or you’re looking to kit out a whole farm, we can work to your requirements.

It’s clear to see the benefits and the understanding the Labour Party has in regard to solar power and the future. If you’re ready to explore how solar can benefit your business, contact us today.