TO BE PUBLISHED March 2027
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This conference will examine next steps for solar power in the UK. Areas for discussion include the development of UK-based supply chains to address demand, the accessibility and affordability of solar power, and implications of the evolving role of solar in the UK energy mix.
Solar Roadmap progress, land use & consenting
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to assess latest developments and policy priorities in the context of the ongoing implementation of the Solar Roadmap, implications of the Land Use Framework for England for the siting of solar infrastructure, and the rapid expansion of solar installations across the UK. Delegates will discuss the balance between deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted installations in the context of Clean Power 2030 capacity targets, and the relationship between solar developments and other land priorities, such as agriculture, biodiversity and community uses.
The conference will also consider recent and planned changes to the NSIP consenting regime and the local planning route for projects below the 100MW threshold in England, including implications for project timelines, investment, local buy-in, nature recovery and food security.
Industry growth, grid connections & investment
Further sessions will address priorities for supporting the growth of the domestic solar industry amid increasing demand, such as approaches for improving project viability, storage hybridisation, grid capacity management and the skills of the workforce. The impact of connection reform, as the Gate 2 offer progresses, on project timelines and investor confidence will also be assessed, alongside implications for access to flexibility and ancillary markets, CfD bidding, grid planning and buildout.
Delegates will also examine the role of community energy schemes and Corporate Power Purchase Agreements in supporting solar projects, and supply chain resilience, including import reliance, energy security and ethical sourcing within global supply networks.
Consumer access, new homes & household support
The planned agenda will also look at consumer access to solar power, including the Future Homes Standard in England coming into force from March 2027 and its requirements for on-site renewable energy generation, with significant implications expected for the installation of solar panels on new homes.
It will also look at the legalisation of plug-in solar systems from August 2026 and the associated product standards, and planned reforms to the EPC regime. Attendees will discuss these changes, alongside support under the Warm Homes Plan through grants for low-income households and government-backed low-interest loans, examining what they mean for barriers to solar uptake and energy affordability.
Further discussion will consider implications for building and planning, grid management and the future contribution of solar to the UK energy system.
Overview of areas for discussion
- policy:
- implementation of the Solar Roadmap and progress towards the Clean Power 2030 range of 45-47GW - priorities for utility-scale and rooftop deployment - the role of Great British Energy
- rooftop deployment:
- expansion across homes, commercial premises and public buildings - grid, planning and building constraints
- implications of the decision not to mandate solar canopies on new car parks - Future Buildings Standard requirements for non-domestic buildings
- planning & land use:
- Land Use Framework for England implementation - site selection, agricultural land and the Green Belt - agrivoltaics, biodiversity net gain and spatial energy planning
- consenting & engagement:
- revised energy National Policy Statements and changes to the NSIP regime - local planning decisions for projects under 100MW in England
- project timelines, legal certainty and environmental assessment - community engagement and public acceptability
- grid & integration:
- implementation of connection reform and Gate 2 offers - network capacity - storage, hybridisation and flexibility markets - implications for project readiness and viability - potential role of GB Grid
- investment & community energy:
- outcome of CfD AR8 and Corporate PPAs - alternative commercial models - shared ownership, local electricity discounts and role of the Local Power Plan - investment and GBE’s People's Power initiative
- consumer access:
- take-up of plug-in solar following legalisation - product standards and safety - interim specifications - Warm Homes Plan grants and low-interest loans
- EPC reform - Future Homes Standard implementation in England
- supply chains & skills:
- development of onshore manufacturing and supply chains - import reliance, energy security and ethical sourcing
- end-of-life and recycling - workforce capacity and clean energy skills
