STA Highlights How Solar Provided 8% Of UK Energy On The Solstice
Saturday 21 June 2014 marked the longest day of the year with daylight peaking at 16 hours"“ an important reminder of the potential for solar power right here in Britain. Contrary to common misconceptions, Britain's climate allows for huge production of solar power, with 60% of the solar resource of the Sahara desert. Solar can produce electricity even on rainy or overcast days.
With total UK installed solar capacity across homes, buildings and solar farms estimated at around 4.5GW the STA has estimated that decent weather on the summer solstice will see solar producing 3.9% of the UK's electricity demand. Compared against the daytime 12 hour load means the contribution from solar rises to 7.8%.
This year's summer solstice comes as the UK's solar industry is fighting for equal treatment from Government, which is uniquely disadvantaging solar power in the policy framework. On larger roofs and in solar farms, solar power is the second cheapest major renewable, and constraining the technology will therefore increase the costs of decarbonising our energy supplies.
Leonie Greene, Head of External Affairs commented, "Midsummer's day "“ epitomised by Stonehenge and immortalised by Shakespeare "“ is a reminder of how Britain has been celebrating the sun for over 4000 years."
"In the 21st Century clean solar power can revolutionise how we power our homes and businesses. Solar also improves our national security by providing energy independence and effective action against climate change."
With highs of 21C predicted for the Salisbury plain, and the sun to rise just before 5am and set at 9.30pm, midsummer's day is an annual reminder of the power of the sun.
Leonie continued, "The half a million families that go to bed with a solar panel on their roof every night will find their solar panels coming to life long before their alarm clocks."
Solar is the UK's most popular energy source, recording a staggering 85% public approval rating in DECC's Opinion Tracker. The solar industry expects financial support for renewable energy to keep reducing as costs fall but wants to see a level playing field where solar isn't disadvantaged compared to other low-carbon sources of power such as wind, biogas and nuclear.
Concluding, Leonie Greene said, "The UK solar industry will soon stand on its own two feet, but only if the Government provides policy stability and a more level playing field for this very popular technology. All that is needed is one more push for solar to compete directly with fossil fuels."
