The UK’s solar capacity set a new generation record earlier this week, almost a year to the day it achieved the same feat in 2017. Data compiled by PV Live and verified by National Grid show that PV generation peaked at 9.42GW from 11:30 AM on Monday 14 May, edging just past the previous record of 9.37GW set almost a year ago. National Grid tweeted the record generation from its Control Room Twitter account this morning. Monday’s record-setting periods also saw solar provide 25% of the country’s entire demand, the second largest power source at that time of day. Combined with wind (10%) and nuclear (18%), low-carbon sources made up more than half of the UK’s entire energy demand around midday. And the record caps off what has been a highly productive period for the UK’s renewables fleet. Solar PV has regularly contributed upwards of 25% of the UK’s power supply around the midday peak in recent weeks, and the early May bank holiday spell saw PV become the UK’s dominant power source for a total of six full hours over the weekend.
Solar Power Portal 18th May 2018 read more »
In 2015, as the UK solar market started to really feel the pinch from UK government, STA Scotland was formed. Key to our success was understanding how Scottish and UK politics differ, with Scotland having a somewhat “greener” approach to the environment and climate change as a whole. The Scottish Government has devolved powers ranging from housing, rural affairs and the environment. Whilst schemes such as the FiTs still fall under Westminster’s control, building standards, planning and business rates are set by the Scottish Government and as such can have a massive impact on the solar industry in Scotland, as we have seen over the last few years. Solar has seen exponential growth via the Scottish housing sector and whilst commercial and large scale have yet to see a similar increase in installed capacity, we at STA Scotland believe this is only the beginning of Scottish solar.
Solar Trade Association 17th May 2018 read more »