Should solar farms be subsidy-free?

2.10.14 Solar farms can be built quickly and, coupled with consistent reductions in the cost of materials and improvements in the efficiency of panels [footnote 82], large-scale solar is now viable in some cases to deploy subsidy-free.

Can solar power help decarbonise the UK energy sector?

Co-written by Matthew Fox and Toby Yeates of Pinsent Masons. The central role envisaged for solar power generation in supporting the decarbonisation of the UK energy sector is reflected in a draft revised planning policy designed to shape decision making on major renewable energy projects.

Are solar farms covered by a national policy statement?

Although solar farms are not covered in the existing suite of National Policy Statements, the draft National Policy Statement for renewable energy infrastructure covers solar farms at the scale of nationally significant infrastructure.The draft National Policy Statements are currently undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny.

What is a large scale solar PV installation called?

Large scale solar PV installations are known as solar farms. Planning is a devolved matter. The main focus of this briefing is on planning in England. The joint briefing paper Comparison of the planning systems in the four UK countries: 2016 update provides information about planning and consenting regimes in the other UK countries.1

Do LPAs approve small-scale solar farms?

LPAs in England will decide applications for smaller-scale solar farms in line with their local plan and the national planning policies. Government guidance advises LPAs to approve renewable energy developments whose “impacts are (or can be made) acceptable”.

Are solar farms a 'critical national priority'?

The Secretary of State will decide applications for large-scale solar farms in line with energy national policy statements. These were updated in January 2024. They now state that the development of low-carbon infrastructure, such as solar farms, is a ‘critical national priority’.