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Ground-mounted Solar Panels: Alternatives
14 April 2026
Lead MP
Lincoln Jopp
Spelthorne
Con
Responding Minister
Michael Shanks
Tags
ClimateAgriculture & Rural AffairsLocal Government
Word Count: 9381
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
Lincoln Jopp raised concerns about ground-mounted solar panels: alternatives in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Jopp asks the government to look at floating solar in a more strategic way and to consider relaxing permitted development rights to include third-party use of electricity, thus improving the business case for such projects. He also calls for a re-evaluation of their potential based on international examples.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The Member of Parliament for Spelthorne is concerned about the impact of large land-based solar farms on agricultural land, which he views as a zero-sum game between food security and energy security. He also highlights the potential benefits of floating solar panels over ground-mounted systems, citing an example from 2016 where a technology demonstrator produced 6.3 MW of power. Additionally, Jopp points out that floating solar can reduce evaporation by 70%, making it twice as efficient and beneficial for water security.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Some solar farm proposals are on a large scale, with [4D [K with 9,340 acres open to planning in the constituency of Sleaford and North [5D [K North Hykeham, equivalent to 91% of the area of Rutherglen. The hon. Member is concerned that the use of ground- [7D [K ground-mounted solar panels falls on prime agricultural land rather than le [2D [K less productive areas.
Edward Morello
Lib Dem
West Dorset
According to Edward Morello, at least 2% of the UK i [1D [K is covered in golf courses which are ecological wastelands. He asks whether [7D [K whether these lands could be used for solar panels instead.
George Freeman
Con
Mid Norfolk
The Member supports space solar power and highlights [10D [K highlights the vulnerability of UK food security due to global supply chain [5D [K chains. He expresses a keen interest in seeing solar panels on reservoirs, [K motorways, council buildings, but not on good farmland. The grid connection investment in Norfolk is leading [7D [K leading to the release of up to 20,000 acres for solar applications, but th [2D [K this could distort land use arguments.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
I congratulate the hon. Member on bringing forward a [1D [K a debate and highlights that there are roughly 600,000 acres of unused, sou [3D [K south-facing industrial rooftops in the United Kingdom that could be utilis [6D [K utilised before we industrialise the countryside.
Peter Fortune
Con
Bromley and Biggin Hill
My hon. Friend makes a characteristically brilliant [K speech and suggests space-based solar power as an alternative to ground-mou [10D [K ground-mounted panels, noting that this would not take up precious agricult [8D [K agricultural land.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Robbie Moore reads the land use framework and argues [6D [K argues that ground-mounted solar installations on agricultural land will de [2D [K degrade soil health, despite the government's focus on food security.
Samantha Niblett
Lab
South Derbyshire
The Member highlights the challenges of grid connect [7D [K connections and the need for speed in transitioning to renewables. She note [4D [K notes that while she is passionate about moving to renewables, it is not st [2D [K straightforward due to existing infrastructure constraints. Tenant farmers are losing their farms when there is [K a change in land use for solar farms, as they can no longer farm the land a [1D [K and it becomes unusable for agricultural purposes.
Sarah Bool
Con
South Northamptonshire
Concerned about the Green Hill solar farm proposal i [1D [K in her constituency, which will cover 1,200 hectares and use up to 65% of b [1D [K best and most versatile land. Cited concerns over food security, visual imp [3D [K impact on heritage areas, and potential fire hazards from battery storage s [1D [K systems. Argued for alternatives like floating solar and rooftop installati [10D [K installations.
Sarah Dyke
Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Rooftop solar panels on appropriate buildings in Gla [3D [K Glastonbury and Somerton could meet net zero targets while prioritising fer [3D [K fertile land for food production, and incentives should be expanded for far [3D [K farmers to install such panels.
Government Response
Michael Shanks
Government Response
Congratulated the hon. and gallant Member for Spelthorne on securing the debate, highlighted the importance of tackling climate change, addressed disingenuous trading of statistics on land use, discussed strategic planning for land use, supported floating solar technology as a promising alternative to ground-mounted panels, acknowledged the need for more rooftop solar deployment despite complexities, emphasized the importance of ground-mounted solar in meeting electricity demand, and stressed community ownership and benefits from renewable infrastructure.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.