Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rooftop Solar Panel

Tuesday 16 April 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government consulted on future homes and buildings standards to drive on-site renewable electricity generation.
  • Planning processes for larger rooftop installations were simplified by removing the 1 MW cap.
  • MPs discussed the need for more trained personnel in the green sector to support domestic solar rollout.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Hollobone Con
Climate Environment
Context

The question arises from a consultation on future homes and buildings standards that explore how to drive on-site renewable electricity generation, such as solar panels.

Question

What steps she is taking to encourage the installation of rooftop solar panels. The CPRE's rooftop solar campaign calls for far greater emphasis on the installation of solar panels on our nation's rooftops rather than ground-mounted solar which harms the natural environment and imperils UK food security.

Answer from Andrew Bowie

The Government recently consulted on the future homes and buildings standards exploring how we can drive on-site renewable electricity generation such as solar panels in new homes and buildings. In December we simplified planning processes for larger rooftop installations by removing the 1 MW cap for non-domestic arrays in permitted development rights.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The CPRE's 'Lighting the way' report was not specifically addressed or mentioned.

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Q2 Philip Hollobone Con
Energy Environment
Context

The question is a follow-up on the initial query regarding steps to encourage rooftop solar installations, with specific reference to CPRE's campaign and report.

Question

The CPRE's rooftop solar campaign calls for far greater emphasis on the installation of solar panels on our nation's rooftops rather than ground-mounted solar which harms the natural environment and imperils UK food security. Would the Minister be kind enough to read the CPRE's 'Lighting the way' report, which highlights international best practice on this issue?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

I thank my hon. Friend for his question and his recommended reading. I was aware of the CPRE's rooftop campaign, and I am keen to understand the findings of its latest report. As set out in the British energy security strategy and the energy security plan, we are aiming for 70 GW of solar capacity by 2035 which would be more than quadruple our current installed capacity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask to read the CPRE's report was not addressed directly.

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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Climate Energy
Context

The question is a supplementary one regarding the need for more trained individuals in the green sector to support domestic solar roll-out.

Question

This is my first chance to offer my condolences to you, Mr Speaker, on the death of your dad. He was a great man and helped induct me into this place when I first came here in 1979. If we are to have a proper domestic solar roll-out across, we desperately need more trained people in the green sector. What will the Minister do about that?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

Absolutely. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets companies such as Octopus. Through our green jobs delivery plan we are enticing more people into the jobs of the future to help deliver our ambitious targets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific asks regarding universities and further education colleges offering apprenticeships were not directly addressed.

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