The Solar Trade Association (STA) has published its Great British Solar Manifesto, summarising the contribution solar can make to the well-being and prosperity of Britain over the next Parliament, given a fair policy framework that works with market forces.

According to the report, solar has transformed the future of energy in less than a decade; 882,228 homes now have solar power; wholesale electricity prices have been lowered; cost reductions of more than 70% have been unprecedented; and solar growth has catalysed the development of smart local networks and technologies, including storage and EVs.

The STA has set its sights on 40Gw of solar by 2030, consistent with the Committee on Climate Change’s ‘high’ renewables scenario. Securing this trajectory would require the installation of around 10Gw of new solar capacity over the next Parliament, a near doubling of current capacity that would see solar provide nearly 10% of UK power by 2022.

The manifesto highlights the wide range of benefits solar can contribute to the UK including thousands of jobs, lower carbon, lower energy bills, billions of investment, smart energy infrastructure, better energy security, cleaner air, empowered communities and consumers, widespread enterprise and innovation as well as modern new buildings.

STA CEO Paul Barwell said: “Whichever party wins this election, they should remember that solar has already won the public vote on energy by a landslide. Every day people recognise the overwhelming benefits solar offers, from cheap power to very real control over energy bills. If politicians really want to transform choice & competition in the energy market for good, their efforts are best spent making solar power and storage accessible to the millions of people and businesses who want it.

Unlocking the benefits of solar will be easy for the next government because we are not looking for new subsidies. But the industry now urgently needs energy policy to work on a level playing field, with the grain of market forces, while properly costing carbon. We also need fair tax treatment and effective regulation, including for newbuild, smart networks and business carbon performance.”

For more information, visit www.solar-trade.org.uk/about/great-british-solar-manifesto.