Government Targets for Solar Power

It's no secret that, in the UK, we're lagging behind our European counterparts when it comes to renewable energy. Germany, for example, has a very similar climate to the UK and 50% of homes use solar power. Here in the UK, only 1% of homes use any form of solar power.

“The world needs to face up to the challenge of climate change, and to do so now. It is clear that climate change poses an urgent challenge, not only a challenge that threatens the environment but also international peace and security, prosperity and development.”
Gordon Brown speaking in November 2007.

In response to the global issues of climate change, the Government has set some ambitious targets in relation to solar energy and renewable energy sources in general. It has committed to:-

• 7 million homes to have solar power installed by 2020. Considering that number currently stands at just 100000, we have a long way to go!
• 15% of all energy consumed to be renewable by 2020.
• To reduce carbon emissions by 34% by 2020 and by 60% by 2050.
• All new build homes to be carbon neutral by 2016.
• All new commercial buildings to be carbon neutral by 2019.
• 4% of all energy consumed to come from renewable sources by the end of 2011.

In order to meet these targets, the Government has pledged:

• £30 billion in financial support to help people with the cost of installing renewable energy sources.
• £100 billion in new capital investment by 2020.
• The introduction of the feed in tariff from April 2010. This means that from then, utilities companies will have to pay a 36.6p/unit of energy they buy from homes generating electricity through solar power.

The Government's ambitious target of having 7 million homes using some form of solar power by 2020 essentially means that 690000 homes must install solar power every year between now and 2020. The incentives, such as the feed in tariff, are designed to encourage consumers to opt for solar energy, by making is easier for them to obtain a return on their investment.