The need for solar
Ground-mounted solar installations are essential in Scotland’s efforts to meet both national and international climate goals, particularly the Scottish Government’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2045. Solar energy, as a clean and renewable resource, plays a critical role in decarbonising the energy sector, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and addressing the climate emergency.
Ground-mounted solar farms, specifically, are key to maximising energy output as they allow for larger-scale developments than rooftop systems, contributing significantly to the energy grid. Scotland’s planning policy, including the National Planning Framework and renewable energy strategies, supports the development of solar projects, ensuring they are located in areas that minimise environmental and visual impacts while maximising energy production.
By integrating ground-mounted solar panels with effective land use, such as enhancing biodiversity and maintaining agricultural activities, these projects can contribute to both environmental and economic sustainability, all the while advancing the nation toward its ambitious climate and energy targets.
Why do we need electricity storage as well as generation?
Storage can provide various services. These include maximising the usable output from intermittent low carbon generation (e.g. solar and wind); reducing the total amount of generation capacity needed on the electricity network; providing a range of balancing services to Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to help operate the system; increasing the amount of electricity which is kept and used locally and reducing constraints on the networks, helping to defer or avoid the need for costly network upgrades as demand increases.
