Solar Energy UK and Copper Consultancy have launched 2022: A Bright Future for Solar: Realising the UK’s Potential, a study into public attitudes to solar.
The report reveals a high level of public support for solar farms, with 56% of respondents supporting the development of large-scale solar projects in their local area compared to 25% in opposition.
Crucially, public support for local solar farms is shown to increase over time, more than one in six people surveyed have become more supportive. Based on a total of 2003 respondents and a sample of 492 people living near large-scale ground-mount solar projects, the research provides insight into how respondents viewed minimising environmental impacts and multi-functional land use as amongst the key benefits of solar energy production.
Solar Energy UK’s Chief Executive, Chris Hewett, said: “Solar farms are now part of the British landscape, and this ground-breaking survey shows strong public support, from all parts of the country. It is especially good to see that people who live close to them become even more favourable over time.”
“We understand that one top public concern is how a solar farm will impact local nature, which is why we are working with ecologists to develop best practice for land management and regular monitoring. Evidence so far shows a solar farm usually increases the biodiversity of wildflowers, pollinators and bird species.”
Sam Cranston, Director of Energy Infrastructure at Copper Consultancy, said: “2022 is set to be another historic year for solar energy in the UK as developers look to bring forward large scale sites in record numbers. Our research into public attitudes clearly shows widespread support for solar and, crucially, that this grows over time.”
“The findings also show that developers and the wider industry can build advocacy even further by raising awareness of the physical and local benefits that solar projects offer, beyond their green credentials.”
Despite high levels of support overall, the study finds there is potential to mobilise public esteem of solar farms even further, given that 56% of people are still unaware that solar farms’ can deliver on natural capital and biodiversity.
To read more visit: solarenergyuk.org/2022report
